Ron Eddy

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Ron Eddy, died in Auckland, New Zealand on January 31, 2024 at 73 years old.  Ron was a long-time member and supporter of the IRG, as well as serving on the IRG Executive Council.

Ron was born and grew up in South Africa and obtained a diploma in Analytical Chemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand and later ini New Zealand a Masters’ degree in Management and Strategy from the University of Auckland.  

His career in wood protection started in South Africa where he was employed by Hickson Timber from 1977 until 1986 when Ron, his wife Lyn and family emigrated to New Zealand where Ron became Marketing Director of Hickson Timber NZ in 1990. Eventually, the joint venture company Koppers-Hickson Timber Protection (NZ) Ltd was established with Ron being the Managing Director.

In 1997 Ron took a break from the timber treatment industry to work for the New Zealand Institute of Management for several years before launching TimTech Chemicals Ltd in New Zealand in 2001 and then a year later in Australia.

Ron led TimTech Chemicals from 2001 to 2020 with a focus on different approaches to the research, application and marketing of wood treatment technologies than others were following. Ron retired in 2020, by which time TimTech was a unit of Azelis New Zealand Ltd.

Ron was elected to the IRG Executive Council in May 2016 and served on the EC through IRG50 held in Quebec City in 2019.  Ron was an advocate for supporting IRG through Sponsorship of the IRG Organization and as a Sponsor of specific IRG meetings.

Away from his career Ron was a supporter of many charities and global networks, including serving as President, Secretary and Director of the Rotary International Club of St. Johns in Auckland.  Ron is survived by his wife Lynn, two daughters Janine Stewart and Angela Burgess, four grandchildren, a brother Clive in South Africa and a sister Sheldene Crookes in New Zealand.

His funeral service was held in Auckland on Monday February 5, 2024.

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This Memorial was written for inclusion with the March 2024 IRG Newsletter.