Obituary

Ronald Patrick Burgess – “Ron”

23^rd July 1946 – 7^th June 2024

Ron was born in Boscombe Hospital, and grew up in Kinson with his two younger brothers Derek and Ray.

During his school days at Kinson Primary School and Winton and Moordown Secondary School, he enjoyed gymnastics, representing his school and performing in displays.  His interest in old radios started when he was only nine years old, making crystal sets and mending radios, and this was to continue for the rest of his life.

After leaving school he worked in an electrical business for a short period, moving to a Radio and TV shop, learning the trade.  He then obtained a job in Transformer Winding Co in Boscombe, before joining the RAF at 17 as an Airframe Mechanic.  He was in the RAF for 5 years training at Swinderby, trade training at St. Athens and was then posted to Lyneham in Wiltshire where he worked on Comet and Britannia aircraft, before being posted to Bahrain for 13 months, where he worked on Hunters and Argosies.

Whilst on leave during this time he did a driving course and passed his test in Bournemouth, before returning to Bahrain to finish the tour.  He also joined the RAF Amateur Radio Club, talking to people all over the world.

Early in 1969 he was posted to Little Rissington, Gloustershire, attached to RAF Kemble, working on Gnat trainers, including those flown by the Red Arrows.

Leaving the RAF in February 1970, he got a job at Kidlington Airport and worked there for 38 years, servicing the aircraft radio and navigation equipment, working his way up to Inspector.  It was during this time that he met and married Linda and they had two girls, Lisa and Amanda.

In 1971 while living in Charlbury he learned to ring the bells at the local church, something else which was to continue for the rest of his life.  He also repaired the radios and televisions of all the neighbours.

Several years later, after his marriage had ended, he heard on Radio Oxford about square dancing at Heyford.  He decided to go along, and this is where he met Jane. They married on the 2nd of December 1978, and Ron moved to Kidlington. There he became a lovely father to Douglas, Jane’s son, and in 1979 Alistair was born.  Ron had eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren and took a great interest in all of their lives.

Ron loved to show his children and grandchildren how to do and make things, from making circuit boards to learning to drive; horse riding and trampolining. He took them to the top of the tower while he put up the flag; on steam trains and picnics. On visits to them, he usually ended up on the trampoline; a throwback perhaps to his early gymnastics.

He always took the time to explain things, and instil his enthusiasm for the subject. A frequent question to his children was “Have you got a hobby?” However, none of them learned to ring. Lisa says that it “just seemed like a Dad thing”, although she is now interested in learning!

Jane and he spent much happy time travelling in their mobile home, especially to Dorset, where they also rang many times at Beaminster and other towers.

Ron had a great love of a very wide range of music from classical to rock, and of course bellringing, and chose the music and hymns for his funeral. This included a piece of piano music called “le jet d’eau” which Ron’s mother Edna used to play, and which Ron loved and remembered hearing while playing in the garden as a child.

Ron’s interests were very wide and varied.  He loved everything old, especially mechanical things to do with steam and combustion engines, and spent many hours tinkering with the two old motorbikes in his shed.  He was a member of The Radio Society of Great Britain having passed his Amateur Radio and Morse Code exams, and gained his Amateur Radio Licence.  He spent many hours in his “shack”; the small bedroom upstairs, talking to people from all over the world.  He was also a member of the British Vintage Wireless Society and other vintage radio societies, as well as helping out at the History of Science Museum in Oxford on their Marconi Days, which he really enjoyed.

When he moved to Kidlington he joined the ringers at St. Mary’s and eventually, and for many years, became Tower Captain, only stepping down a few years ago.  During this time he taught many people to ring (including Jane!).  He was also a committed ringer at Woodstock; the times of the Sunday services there and at Kidlington being compatible.  He of course rang for weddings and other important events in both churches, and went on many tours, including a memorable tour on the Isle of Wight, ringing at all possible towers.

In addition, he made every effort to help other towers who needed teaching and other assistance at various times, including Islip, Ducklington, Kirtlington, Bletchingdon and Weston on the Green. He was always kind, patient and good humoured, especially with learners.

Ron was not an ambitious ringer, but thoroughly enjoyed ringing and helping others to ring. He rang quarter peals of doubles and up to caters methods, and was an excellent caller of lengthy call changes for weddings and other occasions. He called quarter peals of doubles. He rang two peals on eight, one trebling to Cambridge Surprise Major, and one inside to Grandsire Triples. He also enjoyed ringing handbells.

Ron was a very much loved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Warm hearted, kind, patient, always cheerful, with a lovely smile.  He loved to be busy doing things.  If any of his children had a problem they knew they could always go to him and he would find a solution. He loved sharing all the knowledge he had gained, as well as simply wanting to help and make people happy. In this he succeeded magnificently.

Jane Burgess and Clare Fairbairn