It is with great sadness that the family of Ronald George Raymond announce his passing at the age of 87. He is remembered by his wife of 34 years, Rosemary Kathleen Raymond, his sister Jan, his children Ric, Kerenne, and Warrick, and grandchildren Lauren, Xanthe, Caitlin, Madelaine, and Blake.
Ron was a proud North Queenslander, born in Innisfail. He joined the RAAF in 1950 at age 15 and in a career that spanned almost 25 years, rose from Apprentice Air Frame Fitter to Squadron Leader. He was decorated with, amongst other awards, a Mention in Dispatches during active service in Vietnam. His last posting with the RAAF was as Chief Flying Instructor at the RAAF Flying Training School at Point Cook.
In civilian life Ron worked as a Flight Operations Inspector for the Dept. of Civil Aviation in Papua New Guinea, a Check Captain with Air Niugini and as the Operations Manager/Chief Pilot for Newmans Airways in New Zealand.
His great passion in life, aside from flying, was the sea. He was a consummate aviator and an adventurous sailor. He lived a life writ large and with good humour.
An honorable man, a decent man, may he Forever Rest In Peace.