Jim Rutherford
The Ada Rutherford Trust was established by James Rutherford as a lasting dedication to his mother.
Jim was born in Dunedin on 16 August 1929. His parents were Ada and Merlin Rutherford and his brother John. When Jim was aged only five, his father died. He was sent to live with his grandparents. His mother Ada then moved to her parent’s farm at Heriot in West Otago. Jim alternated between Dunedin and Heriot during these years. In 1944, Ada took the boys to Timaru where they attended Timaru Boys High School. During this time, young Jim learned to play the bagpipes, was elected chairman of the debating club and also the radio club.
In 1948 there was another shift – this time to Christchurch. It was here that Jim studied engineering at Canterbury University. He commenced with electrical engineering but became more interested in civil engineering. Whilst at University the boys also started building a house at 18 Marama Crescent on Mt Pleasant in Christchurch and eventually, while only partially completed, the three of them moved in.
Following his graduating with a B.E. Jim commenced a distinguished working life in civil and structural engineering. Jim firstly worked for a number of Christchurch engineering firms, and one of his first projects was the work on the Princess Margaret Hospital where he assisted with structural design. He was to become involved in the design and construction of New Zealand power stations, tunnels, dams, freezing works and hospitals.
In 1958, there was a move to London where Jim studied Architecture. The following year, Jim commenced work with a small Danish company - Ove Arup. Ove Arup were the design engineers for the Sydney Opera House and Jim assisted with some of the engineering when the Opera House was under construction in the 1960’s. Jim's work with this company proved to be a very happy and fulfilling time for him. He was always very proud of his years with this major international company which today has over 11,000 employees and 92 offices worldwide. Jim was invited to become a Partner in Ove Arup's West African offices – focussing on civil and structural engineering projects in a number of countries – such as Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia. There was a wide range of large building projects which included roads, bridges, office buildings, transport depots, universities, buildings for major hospitals, motor assembly plants, glass and paper factories. There were often problems, such as challenges with customs, work permits, local regulations, and disruption caused by civil wars and repeated coups de d’etats. Jim was often in the middle of the action with bombings & explosions all around him - but he was an adventurer and completely in his element. Along with two other partners, Jim cared for 450 staff and was proud of the fact that he developed the African office into one of the most profitable Arup offices worldwide. Jim's interest in architecture aided client relationships, resulting in architectural firms awarding Ove Arup many major engineering contracts.
After Jim left Arup he took time to enjoy his love of travel & photography as well as developing a keen interest in real estate. This led him to the United States where he purchased and refurbished apartments and condominiums in Denver Colorado. In 1996, he purchased an apartment complex in Houston, and worked with partners, to construct high class town homes
It was in 1998 that his mother Ada passed away at the age of 97 years. Throughout his life, Jim had always been very attached to his mother. In his formative years especially, she had encouraged him, and provided the base for the outstanding successes he had in later life, and particularly in regard to his many professional achievements.
Right throughout his life Jim continued his love of travelling - he was proud to have visited all but one of the world’s continents. He was both intrepid and adventurous. His other major personal interest was photography, and he had great enthusiasm for taking many photographs wherever he travelled. In fact he was seldom seen without his camera – and more often than not several cameras and a significant camera bag!
While he travelled extensively he remained a New Zealand citizen and made regular visits back to his home country – to spend time with his brother John and his family. Jim never married.
Jim lived an active life. He was very aptly described by one of his closest friends as "an adventurer, a traveller, a photographer, an engineer, an architect, a business man, an entrepreneur and a man of enormous energy who lived his life to the full". Jim certainly had the energy of someone half his age. At 82 he was diagnosed with melanoma but that did not slow him down and he sought medical treatment in New Zealand and the United States. With Jim's incredibly strong will and tenacity he exceeded all life expectancy predictions but finally lost his battle with cancer on Anzac Day 2014, at 84 years of age. Another of his friends described him as having the stamina of a marine so “Anzac Day” (in remembrance of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) is a very fitting day to remember one of New Zealand's legends.
