Roy Alexander McLellan

(1889.07.31 – 1962.03.30)
CE, DLS, SLS, MLS, MBE
Commission #069
(1920.04.15)

Mr. R.A. McLellan along with Mr. J.E. Underwood S.L.S. carried on a unique partnership which is known today as the UMA group in Canada. The original partnership started in 1911 by Mr. Franklin McArthur and Mr. A.A. Murphy both graduate engineers from Queen's University. Mr. Murphy went on to form a radio and eventually a Television station in Saskatoon.

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 It is with deepest regret that we must report the death of Mr. McLellan since the last issue of STAFF QUARTERLY was published. He died on March 30th, at the ace of 72.

The late Mr. McLellan will be remembered by many of us here as an outstanding Professional Engineer who also possessed a great organizational and administrative ability. Throughout his long and devoted association, first as employee and then as partner, his insistence upon the highest technical and ethical standards at all times was a major factor in elevating our firm to the highly respected position it enjoys today.

Mr. McLellan was born July 31st, 180 et Harriston, Ont. where he received his early education. He graduated from the University of Toronto with Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1911. He proceeded immediately to Saskatchewan: and served apprenticeship for a Dominion Land Surveyor's commission with R.C. Laurie, pioneer surveyor at Battleford.

Except for the war years, Mr. McLellan was engaged in the practice of professional engineering and land surveying in the prairie provinces since 1912. He joined the firm of Murphy & Underwood Consulting Engineers in that year.

He served four years with the Royal Canadian Engineers and the Canadian Railway Troops in the France and Belgium theatres during World War 1. He reported back to the Firm in 1919. He accepted a partnership with J. E. Underwood in 1926, and the firm's name was changed to Underwood & McLellan.

During the Second World War he served with the R. C. A. F. with the rank of Squadron Leader and was responsible for water supplies and sanitary engineering at all Canadian training stations. He was awarded the M. E. E. in 1945 "for outstanding professional technical service over a long period of time."

He rejoined the firm in August, 1945. He continued to be an active member of the Firm until 1959 and continued to visit the office et intervals until mid 1964, when his health began to fail.

He is survived by his wife. Mrs. McLellan is the former Hope Rankin. During his career, Mr. McLellan held the following professional memberships and offices:

Life member and past president - Association of Professional Engineers of Saskatchewan; Member and past chairman - Saskatchewan Branch of the Engineering Institute of Canada; Member and Associate Director - Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada; Life member and past president of the Association of Saskatchewan Land Surveyors; Member and former Saskatchewan Councillor - Canadian Institute of Surveying. He was responsible for initiating the Prairie Chapter of the Association of Consulting Engineers an also for the joint Council of the Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba Land Surveyors Associations.