Malcolm Henderson Rutherford

RUTHERFORD, Malcolm
Malcolm Rutherford passed away on September 25, 2025 at the age of 76. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland October 1948. Malcolm was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, cherished family member, loyal friend, and well respected academic. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret, daughter Sarah (Howie), stepdaughter Tanya (Gary), granddaughter Arwen, step grandson Nicolas (Grace), step granddaughter Maddie, sisters Elaine (David) and Annette (Louie), sister-in-law Rosi, and brother-in-law Rick (Karen). He was predeceased by his younger brother Neil. Malcolm also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, many friends and many colleagues who will all miss his kindness, wisdom, generous spirit, leadership, good humour, and quiet strength.
Malcolm and Margaret met in February 2007. Their life together was full of love, family, friends, good food (thanks to Malcolm's cooking skills) and lots of fun travels. The joy Malcolm felt with his granddaughter Arwen was pure and lasting.
Malcolm loved to read, sit by the ocean, and then read some more. He loved music and was very proud of his finely curated Pueblo Indian pottery collection.
It was during his undergrad at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh that Malcolm discovered his love of economics. He completed his Masters degree at Simon Fraser University and his PhD at Durham University in England. Malcolm began working at the University of Victoria in 1977 where he obtained tenure and remained for the rest of his career. As Department Chair for many years he created a positive and nurturing environment for faculty, staff, and students.
Malcolm leaves behind a well respected body of academic work. His most notable publications include "Institutions in Economics: The Old and the New Institutionalism" and "The Institutionalist Movement in American Economics, 1918-1947: Science and Social Control". Malcolm was very proud of and excited for his most recent publication "The First Generation of African American PhDs in Economics (1921-1943)". Malcolm's greatest academic legacy lives on through the many colleagues he befriended, inspired, mentored, and supported.

A celebration of his life will be held 2 pm on December 6, 2025 at First Memorial, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. Family, friends and colleagues are all welcome.