Ron Chatburn: a Celebration of his Life

A significant number of club members together with many other friends gathered together on Monday 27 July at The Cricketers pub in River to celebrate the life of our recently departed member, Ron Chatburn. The event was introduced by Byron, one of Ron’s sons, and contributions were made by others attending. Past President Peter Sherred gave an account of his encounters with Ron at various venues over the years. Both Peter and Ron were officers at Dover District Council where Ron was the Chief Engineer and Highways Officer of the newly created Department of Technical Services of Dover District Council. PP Peter worked with Ron on a number of matters as Peter was the Deputy Director of Legal Services for the authority. He gave a brief resume of the types of project where he and Ron liaised closely. These included a number of court appearances where Orders were sought from the court affecting the local highway system. Ron was a very cooperative staff member and would invariably be the professional witness in the Magistrates’ Court where Orders relating to the highways were sought.

Reference was made to Ron’s musical capabilities and in particular the fact that he played the organ in the Town Hall for the annual Mayoress’ Tea Dances. Ron’s talent had been honed while he spent time in various African countries where he was invited to local churches and to provide the musical accompaniment to the services.

Ron’s association with the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway was recalled and illustrated by a picture of Ron on his 90^th birthday.

Much of the groundwork for the present highways layout in Dover was pioneered by Ron using his considerable knowledge of highway and drainage matters acquired by his employment in former local authority areas. Hereford was a particular early area of activity for Ron’s considerable talents.

Sadly, Peter suggested, a number of people would have encountered Ron during the last couple of years of his life which coincided with a deterioration in his health, particularly the loss of his hearing, and all his previous good work and experience would have been missed but sufficient people in Dover would remember Ron with great affection for his willingness to tackle major issues affecting service provision for the town. Peter suggested it was important to remember Ron in the round and for all his efforts to provide and maintain basic service provision and it should be remembered that Ron was a professional who worked to the highest standards in the provision of public services.

In addition to his employment with the Dover District Council those attending this celebration of life were reminded that Ron immersed himself in various aspects of local life, ranging from engagement with the Dover Chamber of Commerce to being a respected Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Dover. In latter years he became a member of the Rotary Club of South Foreland.

In addition to all his local interests and activities Ron was a traveller and in recent years spent a number of weeks each year visiting India and providing professional help and guidance to those he stayed with and also interacted with.

Also contributing to memories of Ron was his partner Edith Morgan who recited a couple of poems she had written in tribute to Ron. Edith had been a great comfort and companion to Ron in his last years.

His son Byron made a contribution to the memories of Ron being expressed at this particular event. Despite his ill health In latter years Ron continued to live in his house in Markland Road until he was hospitalised.  

Ron was clearly a man of his times and left a sizeable imprint of his professional knowledge in terms of the infrastructure of Dover’s roads and drainage systems. He also left a lasting impression on so many who knew him, worked with him and enjoyed his company. His death left the Rotary Club of South Foreland considerably impoverished at the loss of such a dynamic character of Dover life.

A slide presentation accompanied the verbal memories and provided a visual background while a buffet meal was enjoyed. Ron’s three sons, Byron, Dean and Fraser should be rightly proud of their father and his immense contribution to the town of Dover. It is to be hoped that Ron’s family members will have taken great comfort from this celebration of life of one of Dover’s understated heroes.