1924−2020

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Ron was born in Bolton, the second of six children. He was educated at Thornleigh Salesian College, but had to leave school at 14 after tragically losing his father, in order to support his mother and siblings.

Ron worked initially at an engineering company, obtaining his school certificate at the age of 21. In 1946, Ron obtained a place to study Electrical Engineering at Manchester University. On arriving he was told that he was not on the list of students, nevertheless, he was determined to attend university, and enquired about other courses. Ron was informed that places were available in Dentistry and so embarked on his career. He was later informed that there had been an administrative error, and that there had been a place for him in Electrical Engineering. His dogged reply was that he had started Dentistry, and he would finish it.

Ron qualified in 1951, unusual for those days he decided that Medicine was a necessity for a career in oral surgery, and so commenced Medicine at the Royal Free. It was in London that he came in contact with Opus Dei, as a resident of Netherhall. It was after Ron had met St Josemaria Escriva that Ron became a member of Opus Dei, realising that his work was his vocation.

Ron qualified in Medicine at 35 and was appointed Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Hope Hospital in Salford. Most notably was his early work on an intra oral approach to osteotomies entitled 'Subcondylar osteotomy of the mandible and the intraoral approach' (BJOS 1968).

Ron also oversaw the acquisition of a new student residence, Greygarth, serving as Warden until 1998. He once also had the daunting task of surgically extracting a tooth from a circus bear at Belle Vue Zoo! Ron inspired many people to choose dentistry namely, his brother Tony, and three nephews.

Even in his retirement he had a letter published in the British Medical Journal, replying to an article entitled 'Why are doctors so unhappy?' by advocating St Josemaria's advice:

'You are unhappy because you make everything revolve around yourself, as if you were always the centre… Have you ever tried thinking about Jesus, and through Him, about others?'

Ron in his final years was lovingly cared for by his brothers in Opus Dei, always remaining cheerful. Ron died on 4 July 2020.

Robert Winstanley