To Ron

Ron Weir
1945 ~ 2009

It is with great sadness that the University announces the death of Dr Ron Weir, Provost of Derwent College and Senior Lecturer in Economic History.

Ron, who passed away on Saturday 14 March, joined the University in 1970 and had been Provost of Derwent since 1982. Ron was an expert in Scottish and Irish Economic History, business history and the history of the whisky industry.

Dr Jane Grenville, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Students said, "This is appalling news and our thoughts are with Ron's family. Ron was a well-known and longstanding member of the University. Students and staff will be shocked and saddened, as will generations of York students who remember him with great affection. Ron was a towering figure in the University in every sense - we will all miss him very much."

Professor Peter Simmons, Head of the Department of Economics and Related Studies, "Everyone in the Department is deeply distressed by the news, and we will treasure the memory of his wit and wisdom over the years."

The funeral will take place at 12 noon on Friday 27 March at York Crematorium. A reception will follow at 1pm in Derwent Dining Hall. If you would like to attend the reception, please contact Chris Unwin on clu1@york.ac.uk by 25 March.

Oh I remember Ron. Provost of Derwent College. Great big man. In the mould of a portly Englishman, not unlike Benny Hill. He was huge. His size was matched by his generosity. I remember having dinner with him and his wife at the little cottage near the Derwent bridge within the first week of arriving in York. It was his way of welcoming foreign students into Derwent College. That was also where I first met Mahesh. Ron lectured Economics and Social History. He was an expert on the development of industries, including potable spirits like brandy, gin, rum, whisky and vodka. His PhD was on the Scotch Whisky Industry.

His voice was booming. And his thick accent lent a great amount of authority when he talked about the British Industrial Revolution, Great Ireland Famine, Rise and Fall of the British Economy, The Thatcher years....That voice, riding on his stature, will not be heard in the lecture halls of Vanbrugh and Langwith College forever more.

Rest in peace Dr Ron.