Roy Ireland

Oct 28, 2025

Roy Robert Wharton Ireland, age 75, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, of natural causes.

Roy was born in East London, South Africa, the son of Ross and Edna Ireland, and raised primarily in Bloemfontein. After graduating from Grey College, Roy joined the South African military, where he was selected to the Army Band as a trumpeter. Despite the opportunity to play for the State President's Guard, he chose instead to serve as a paratrooper. Following his army stint, Roy worked for the South African Railway for a time and studied accounting at university. In 1971, Roy married Glennis, the woman who would be his wife for more than 50 years.

In January 1973, Roy and Glennis moved to Alaska in the midst of one of the coldest winters in decades. They loved their new home, however, and soon settled in, with Roy attending Alaska Methodist University. Roy graduated with a dual major of mathematics and geology. He soon put that knowledge to use doing sampling and mapping field work for a mining company in the summers and working at Pay and Save during the winters.

Roy began working for the State of Alaska as a hydrologist in the early 1980s. For more than 30 years Roy worked for the citizens of Alaska, monitoring waters all across the state. He was involved with creating some of the early computer programs used to track water usage. After retirement Roy continued to work as a consultant and help with special projects.

Roy was a born nature lover. As a boy in South Africa, Roy spent much of his time exploring the outdoors, learning about all plants and animals, and camping and fishing. His love for nature lasted a lifetime; Roy loved getting outside in Alaska, and he documented his journeys through his passion for photography. Roy was a life-long learner. He was constantly tinkering in his office or the garage, never coming across something he couldn't fix. He loved working to create circuits out of used batteries and wiring, and built numerous computers over the decades. It's hard to imagine that anyone walked away from a conversation with Roy without learning something new and interesting that he was eager to share.

Roy will be remembered as a kind, gentle, loving man with a passion for knowledge and will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his wife, Glennis; and younger brother, David. He is survived by his children, Michael (Jalynn) Ireland and Kathryn Ireland; grandchildren, Allison and Brexley; older brother, Trevor; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Joy Lutheran Church in Eagle River, Alaska, on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 3 p.m., with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alaska SeaLife Center.