Either way, and the fullness and minutiae contained within these summary outlines can be debated, there is to me one major element lacking in such text. That crucial factor is mention of time. Ron gave unstintingly of his time – both professional and personal.

Quite how Ron kept these two “p’s” separate and co-joined, nay over-lapped, cannot be fathomed. It was certainly appreciated by those who received his scholarship and company, though is perhaps best understood by his wife Alison.

Ron could always take and record a broad view. As well as following procedures (countless edicts have rained down on the Colleges as a whole during recent decades) he was not averse to applying his own interpretation for the benefit of the College, always acting with fairness and common sense.

As a somewhat aged and personal example, I still believe that it was Ron “interviewing” me during breaks from digging our allotments which led to me receiving the opportunity and undoubted privilege to share in serving Derwent College during part of his mighty reign as Provost. I was appointed Chairman (later becoming an inanimate “Chair”) of the Senior Common Room in 1984 and Vice-Provost of Derwent College in 1986. I relinquished both positions upon my Retirement in May 2003 – which gentle passage, across the interface from the pleasures of an academic life to the comfort of Retirement, Ron organised and participated in with both great kindness and a degree of glee.

To me there is an irony in Ron’s passing on a Saturday when some minds – even to this day, and within the University – will consider the University to be closed. It is always open: Ron was available and called upon throughout the days and nights, weeks and months of every year he was Provost of Derwent College.

There is a cruelty too, in that his dear wife Alison and family will be denied sharing with Ron what would have been over and above anything even he contributed to the welfare of the many thousands of students, College and academic staff, and visitors he met through a whole spectrum of circumstances in Derwent College – namely a most well-earned Retirement.

Thanks Ron – oh, by the way, that partly full bottle you suggested I escort home from the last SCR social event was still acceptable to my unsophisticated palate the next day.

Reuben B Girling.

My warmest condolences to his family and friends.

George Katsanos (2000-03)

Ron was a great man and we should honour him in whatever ways we can. I hope that his family are ok.

thank you for honoring my uncle, he was a very kind and great man. very understanding and supportive, his gardening was brilliant, always fresh ingredients for Auntie Alison’s cooking, i only wish i had the chance to see him again, but sadly i will miss him a lot, even playing Doom on his pc, well i was younger and his son Angus installed it, (or was it bruce), i always enjoyed visiting york seeing my cousins and family, their advice and support was greatly received.

I appreciate all your kind messages about him, and i honor him in my own way, http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5549/uncleronaldtribute.jpg a small tribute to him, he will be Missed

Dave Jones (03-07)

It was an example of his kindness and compassion and he will be sorely missed.

Ron was always fair and put the welfare of students above all else. He lived and breathed Derwent College, it was his life, as it had been since he became Provost in 1982 and probably for many years before that.

I always joked that his speeches at Freshers’ Supper in Autumn Week 1 were identical each year, give or take a few words. When you’d heard them as often as I had, you’ll know what I mean! His social events were legendary, the academic year started with Freshers’ Supper, then there was the PG Reception, then weekly supper parties in his house, the strawberry tea for the leaving 3rd years in June. Not to mention the SCR dinners and social events which he always organised with such flair and passion, no-one will forget the Burns Suppers he presided over most years. And it hardly seems like yesterday that we were celebrating Derwent’s 40th Anniversary, though
that was in 2005!

Ron’s dress sense occasionally caused a few smiles. Come the warm summer months, out would come the awful shorts, sandals with socks, and string vests! I’m sure you all remember!!

Ron loved gardening, and would spend many hours on his allotment or in his beautiful garden at Derwent House. On Friday 13th March he did something else he loved, go to the seaside. He and Alison visited Bridlington for the day, and whilst there was able to buy one of his favourite delicacies, proper kippers! Oh yes, Ron loved good food, wine, and especially whisky!

Yesterday we held our College Committee meeting as normal, we knew that’s what Ron would have wanted. The meeting was packed, and when we held a 2 minute silence, there was hardly a dry eye anywhere, I know I couldn’t hold back the tears. I was so proud to see everyone there, all supporting each other at this incredibly sad time.

Ron was devoted to his lovely wife Alison, to whom he had been married for 39 years, though I often thought that Alison was the boss at home! My love goes out to Alison, as well as to Angus, Bruce, Douglas and all the Weir family at this sad time.

Personally, I will miss Ron immensely. He was a wonderful boss, truly
remarkable, a big man in every sense, and I shall always consider him as a friend and mentor, someone I knew I could always turn to and talk, whether it was about a confidential matter or to crack a few jokes and funny stories. Ron was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Calm seas Ron. xx

Ron was a massive exception to this from what I could tell – in every instance with me putting student welfare first and really giving a father figure to members of Derwent college. At least from my sadly limited encounters he wasn’t obsessed with the form filling and career progression and time=money mentality and always gave me the impression he just wanted to help students.

Matt (87-90)

Unfortunately, with this sad and sudden news, our last thoughts were about the the webpage. The lack of information on the ‘under-construction’ page currently visible, and the temporary images used, have been replaced with the latest official statement from the University.

We hope to have the site up and running as soon as possible, to communicate more information about this terrible news and the things which are going to happen to properly respect Ron.

My thoughts are with his family.

Paul
(2004-2007)