Ronald “Ron” Peter Kirby, a renowned journalist and engineer, passed away on August 18 at the age of 90. His family and colleagues have fondly remembered his remarkable life, which was marked by his passion for storytelling, his dedication to his craft, and his inspiring influence on those around him.
Born in Liverpool, Ron was evacuated to Madeley in Shropshire during World War II. After leaving school, he began his journalism career as a reporter with the Shrewsbury Chronicle. His enthusiasm and dedication quickly earned him recognition, and he went on to become the news editor and editor of the Warrington Examiner at the age of 23. Ron’s journalism career spanned over two decades, during which he worked for several prominent newspapers, including the Lancashire Evening Telegraph (LET). He was the first journalist to publish a regular column on space travel, showcasing his curiosity and enthusiasm for the subject. His column became a staple of the newspaper, and he was soon recognized as a leading authority on space exploration.
Ron was not only a talented journalist but also a mentor and inspiration to many aspiring journalists and PR professionals. His family and colleagues have shared numerous stories about the impact he had on their lives, describing him as a “wonderful dad” and a “huge inspiration” to those around him. One of Ron’s greatest strengths was his ability to connect with people and bring out the best in them. He had a gift for spotting talent and nurturing it, and his guidance and support helped many individuals achieve their goals.
In the 1980s, Ron transitioned to the engineering industry, where he worked as the PR manager for Sime Darby, a company with international interests. His experience in journalism served him well in this role, as he was able to effectively communicate complex technical information to a wide range of audiences. Ron’s work in engineering led him to interact with prominent figures, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, Margaret Thatcher, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and John Major. He was also awarded the OBE for his services to British engineering and received the honor at Buckingham Palace.
In addition to his work in engineering, Ron was also involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry. He worked with the Engineering Council to develop programs that encouraged more women and minorities to pursue careers in engineering. Ron was also deputy chairman of Women Into Science and Engineering (WISE), which helped raise the number of women in professional engineering from seven per cent to 14 per cent.
Ron met his wife, Carole, while working at Sime Darby, and the couple moved to Dorchester in 2006. In his later years, Ron became involved in various medical causes, including the Dorset Cancer Network partnership panel and the Go Group, which supports former patients. Despite his many achievements and accolades, Ron remained humble and kind, always willing to lend a helping hand or offer words of encouragement to those around him.
Ron’s family and colleagues will deeply miss his presence, but they take comfort in the knowledge that his legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and inspired. His funeral will be held next month, and his family has invited friends and colleagues to attend and pay their respects. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dorset Cancer Network or the Go Group in his memory.
Throughout his life, Ron was known for his infectious enthusiasm and his ability to inspire others. He was a natural storyteller, and his love of journalism and engineering was evident in everything he did. Ron’s family and colleagues will always remember him as a kind and generous person who made a lasting impact on their lives.
Ron’s love of journalism began at a young age, and he was always fascinated by the power of storytelling. He began his career as a reporter with the Shrewsbury Chronicle, where he quickly made a name for himself as a talented and dedicated journalist. His enthusiasm and dedication earned him recognition, and he went on to become the news editor and editor of the Warrington Examiner at the age of 23.
Ron’s work in journalism was marked by his passion for storytelling and his ability to connect with people. He was a natural communicator, and his love of journalism was evident in everything he did. Ron’s family and colleagues will always remember him as a kind and generous person who made a lasting impact on their lives.
In the 1980s, Ron transitioned to the engineering industry, where he worked as the PR manager for Sime Darby, a company with international interests. His experience in journalism served him well in this role, as he was able to effectively communicate complex technical information to a wide range of audiences. Ron’s work in engineering led him to interact with prominent figures, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, Margaret Thatcher, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and John Major. He was also awarded the OBE for his services to British engineering and received the honor at Buckingham Palace.
Ron’s work in engineering was marked by his ability to communicate complex technical information in a clear and concise manner. He was a natural communicator, and his love of engineering was evident in everything he did. Ron’s family and colleagues will always remember him as a kind and generous person who made a lasting impact on their lives.
In his later years, Ron became involved in various medical causes, including the Dorset Cancer Network partnership panel and the Go Group, which supports former patients. Despite his many achievements and accolades, Ron remained humble and kind, always willing to lend a helping hand or offer words of encouragement to those around him.
Ron’s family and colleagues will deeply miss his presence, but they take comfort in the knowledge that his legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and inspired. His funeral will be held next month, and his family has invited friends and colleagues to attend and pay their respects. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dorset Cancer Network or the Go Group in his memory.
Throughout his life, Ron was known for his infectious enthusiasm and his ability to inspire others. He was a natural storyteller, and his love of journalism and engineering was evident in everything he did. Ron’s family and colleagues will always remember him as a kind and generous person who made a lasting impact on their lives.
Ron’s love of journalism and engineering was evident in everything he did, and he was a natural communicator who was able to effectively communicate complex technical information to a wide range of audiences. He was a kind and generous person who made a lasting impact on the lives of those around him, and his legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and inspired.