Noel Alfred Cleland

B.E., P Eng., F.C.A.E., F.C.I.M., F.E.C.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Noel Alfred Cleland, 21st December, 1929 - 20th April, 2025.

Noel was born in Sydney, Australia, to Alfred and Edna Cleland. He attended North Sydney Boys High School, where he was an outstanding student, rugby player, sailor and surfer. Noel subsequently graduated with a B.E. in mining and metallurgy from the University of Sydney. One of his earliest jobs was with Caltex, in the early days of the Australian oil industry. This set Noel on a path he would follow for the rest of his life.

In 1954, Noel boarded a P&O liner bound for Canada, and landed in Vancouver, BC, on January 18th. Shortly afterwards, he made his way to Calgary, where he found work as a drilling engineer.

It was on a posting to Virden, Manitoba, that Noel met his first wife, Janet Elonde Billings, while she was working as a public health nurse. Elonde later became one of the earliest nurse-practitioners in Canada, something Noel was very proud of.

Noel and Elonde’s son, Glenn Allen Cleland, was born in 1961. In time, Glenn married his first wife, Cindy Howie, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Jacqueline, into the world in the spring of 1995. Noel and Elonde were delighted to have a beloved granddaughter.

Noel next found work with Hudson Bay Oil and Gas, where he pioneered the use of early computers to evaluate oil and gas reserves.

In 1966, Noel joined the consulting firm, J. C. Sproule and Associates Ltd. He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming president in 1983. Noel’s technical expertise and high moral and ethical standards became a cornerstone of J. C. Sproule, where the staff appreciated his skill, openness and honesty. He was ever a popular figure there.

By the time Noel stepped down as president of Sproule in 1992, the company had garnered a reputation as one of the best-known and most highly-respected oil and gas evaluation firms in the world.

In what was already a very distinguished career, Noel also served as president of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum; President of APEGA; and chairman of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (now Engineers Canada). He also received many of the highest awards in the industry in recognition of his commitment to his profession.

Noel’s had many enthusiasms, including competitive sailing on Calgary’s Glenmore Reservoir with friends and colleagues, Tony Edgington and Hugh Atkins. He and a group of close friends also skied for many years at Whitefish, Montana.

Sadly, Noel lost his first wife, Elonde, to cancer in 1996.

Whilst visiting Vancouver on business, Noel met up with Rollie Kent, the widow of an old school friend. What started as shared grief grew into love and the pair married in 1998. This was the beginning of a long, fulfilling marriage with Rollie and many happy family times with his new step-daughters, Julia and Gill, and their husbands, Ernest and Stewart. He loved trips to Europe and Australia, and skiing at Lake Louise, Sunshine and Aspen, Colorado, with family and life-long friends Frank and Miki Whitehouse.

Noel was a member of the Ranchman’s Club and the Petroleum Club in Calgary, and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. He was also a generous philanthropist.

After a long, rich life, Noel passed away peacefully at the age of 95 in Vancouver, B.C. He will be dearly missed by Rollie and her family, who lovingly cared for him in his later years.

He is survived by his second wife, Rosalynde (Rollie), née Latimer, his son Glenn (Susan Boyce) Cleland, his granddaughter, Jacqueline Howie Cleland, his step-daughters, Julia (Ernest Wurzbach) Kent, and Gill (Stewart Buchanan) Kent.

Noel was predeceased by his first wife, Janet Elonde, and his sisters, Beryl (Harry) Watson, and Patricia.

The private family funeral and cremation that Noel requested have already taken place.

Memorial donations in Noel’s name may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation.