Ron Bollen - 1920-2012
Posted by Chris Offer
on Dec 21, 2012
Past President of the Rotary Club of Ladner Ron Bollen died this week. This story on Ron is from 2004
Ron Bollen’s Story
As told to Ed Klassen on May 18, 2004
Ron Bollen was born in Guelph Ontario on April 6, 1920. He has 3 siblings; 2 sisters and 1 brother. Susan and Ron were married on February 12, 1944 and had two sons, Ron and Daryl.
Ron completed his education in Montreal, and graduated with honors. He also worked in an electrical shop for 2 years. In 1938, he joined the Canadian Air Force in Montreal. He also worked at the Faircraft Aircraft Company, who built bombers for the war. Over this time, he had been given the opportunity to obtain some drafting skills, and was able to interpret blueprints. Some of his tasks included assisting tool makers.
Although Ron had a chance to become involved in active battle, he was exempt due to the commitment he had with Faircraft Company. After some extensive training, in 1942 Ron went overseas on a troopship to Britain. He recalled a very difficult sailing of 13 days, with everyone being quite ill.
During this time, Ron served as an airframe mechanic, in the meantime studying radar operations. He recalls the secretive training and screening for this new radar technology. Finally, he was assigned to Belfast in 1943, where his responsibilities were "planning and plotting of aircrafts...hostile and friendly. His duties included providing the locations of all aircrafts in his area.
While on the SS Argentina, he met the "Women Royal Navy Services" lady, Susan, who later became his wife. They were sailing down the coast of Africa, and supporting the African war that was on at that time. He was also assigned to India for continued radar duties. He recalled this to be a very intense situation.
In 1945, they returned to Canada. Ron rejoined Fairchild Aircraft Company, but soon realized that was no longer a going concern. He decided to follow his wife’s parents’ lead in the oil business. He became heavily involved in the lab, which made him aware of the value of getting his University degree. Ron went back to University for 5 years, and got his Chemical Engineering degree.
He continued to work at Shell in the lab in the interim to support his family. While in the service in Britain, Ron was fortunate to befriend his room mate, whose father happened to be the President of Dow Chemical. In 1964, Dow Chemical in Sarnia Ontario hired Ron as their Works Manager and Production Manager. He was there for 4 years. Then, he went with Dow to Columbia.
There were two outlets, one in Ecuador, one in Columbia, and Ron was the General Manager and President of these outlets for 4 years, from 1968 to 1972. Then, he was appointed Management Director and General Manager for Dow’s New Zealand interests. He was there from 1972 to 1980. Finally, from 1980 to 1982, Ron and Susan were located in Hong Kong where Ron was the Director of Development of hydro-carbons.
Over the years, Ron had met Clarke Wise, who was also involved with Dow for some time. Clarke was living in the Tsawwassen area, and he encouraged the Bollens to retire there. Ron has been with the Rotary Club of Ladner since 1983. He was the President of our club in 1989-90.
During his year as President, he recalls the birthing of the Student Interviews with Rotarians, a program that ran for many years. He was very keen to support the Rotary Student Exchange Program, and rekindled that. Ron was also the President of the Delta Foundation for some 7 years. His leadership helped the foundation become more effective and efficient.
As told to Ed Klassen on May 18, 2004
Ron Bollen was born in Guelph Ontario on April 6, 1920. He has 3 siblings; 2 sisters and 1 brother. Susan and Ron were married on February 12, 1944 and had two sons, Ron and Daryl.
Ron completed his education in Montreal, and graduated with honors. He also worked in an electrical shop for 2 years. In 1938, he joined the Canadian Air Force in Montreal. He also worked at the Faircraft Aircraft Company, who built bombers for the war. Over this time, he had been given the opportunity to obtain some drafting skills, and was able to interpret blueprints. Some of his tasks included assisting tool makers.
Although Ron had a chance to become involved in active battle, he was exempt due to the commitment he had with Faircraft Company. After some extensive training, in 1942 Ron went overseas on a troopship to Britain. He recalled a very difficult sailing of 13 days, with everyone being quite ill.
During this time, Ron served as an airframe mechanic, in the meantime studying radar operations. He recalls the secretive training and screening for this new radar technology. Finally, he was assigned to Belfast in 1943, where his responsibilities were "planning and plotting of aircrafts...hostile and friendly. His duties included providing the locations of all aircrafts in his area.
While on the SS Argentina, he met the "Women Royal Navy Services" lady, Susan, who later became his wife. They were sailing down the coast of Africa, and supporting the African war that was on at that time. He was also assigned to India for continued radar duties. He recalled this to be a very intense situation.
In 1945, they returned to Canada. Ron rejoined Fairchild Aircraft Company, but soon realized that was no longer a going concern. He decided to follow his wife’s parents’ lead in the oil business. He became heavily involved in the lab, which made him aware of the value of getting his University degree. Ron went back to University for 5 years, and got his Chemical Engineering degree.
He continued to work at Shell in the lab in the interim to support his family. While in the service in Britain, Ron was fortunate to befriend his room mate, whose father happened to be the President of Dow Chemical. In 1964, Dow Chemical in Sarnia Ontario hired Ron as their Works Manager and Production Manager. He was there for 4 years. Then, he went with Dow to Columbia.
There were two outlets, one in Ecuador, one in Columbia, and Ron was the General Manager and President of these outlets for 4 years, from 1968 to 1972. Then, he was appointed Management Director and General Manager for Dow’s New Zealand interests. He was there from 1972 to 1980. Finally, from 1980 to 1982, Ron and Susan were located in Hong Kong where Ron was the Director of Development of hydro-carbons.
Over the years, Ron had met Clarke Wise, who was also involved with Dow for some time. Clarke was living in the Tsawwassen area, and he encouraged the Bollens to retire there. Ron has been with the Rotary Club of Ladner since 1983. He was the President of our club in 1989-90.
During his year as President, he recalls the birthing of the Student Interviews with Rotarians, a program that ran for many years. He was very keen to support the Rotary Student Exchange Program, and rekindled that. Ron was also the President of the Delta Foundation for some 7 years. His leadership helped the foundation become more effective and efficient.