Ronald George Dawson was born on July 1, 1939 in East Bedfont, Middlesex, England. He died peacefully at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan on April 30, 2020 at the age of 80. He prevailed for the last seven years over glioblastoma multiforme and far exceeded every medical expectation. Home and loved ones were always essential to his life and he lived these recent years with his usual determination. He adapted early to using a walker, then to managing a wheelchair, and eventually used a “sit to stand” device to enable his movement around the house. With a specially designed garage and car, it was possible to take Ronald for walks and picnics when the weather allowed. All of this proved so very helpful in maintaining his quality of life. He treasured the heartfelt commitment of his trusted, long-time caregivers who brightened each and every day.
When Ronald was a young child, he was a dedicated Boy Scout. He proved so successful that, at the age of fifteen, he was chosen to represent his Middlesex county at a summer scouting festival in Niagara Falls. It was his first time to leave England to visit another country, but it was just the beginning of a lifetime of travel adventures, including a childhood trip to Canada. Ronald eventually became an assistant Cub Scout master and he often spoke of how this experience framed both his career and his interest in children.
Ronald graduated from Bedfont Schools and moved to Higher National Diplomas in Mechanical Engineering at the Twickenham Technical College in England. He completed classes in Industrial Organization, Principles of Engineering, and Manufacturing Materials and Processes before completing his degree. Upon completion of his degree in 1967, he was recruited by Conductron Corporation in London and was responsible for assembly methods and procedures to build C5A Mission Flight Simulators. Conductron soon recruited Ronald for a position in its St. Charles, Missouri facility and, after two years there, he was transferred to the company’s Ann Arbor site in 1970. It was then that he met Delores Olszewski. During the early ‘70s, Ron embarked on a two-year trip to explore the United States, with Dolores often joining him in various places along the way. They were married in 1975 in the Rockford College chapel in Rockford, Illinois, where Delores grew up and where her parents lived. Ronald and Delores made Ann Arbor their home, and Ronald had a distinguished career with Olivetti, Northern Telecom, and Exabyte Corporation. Ronald was a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), in England, and a life member of the Institute for Mechanical Engineers.
Ronald Dawson was beloved by his dear family in England and by Delores’s family in the U.S. He was a true gentleman and exceptionally generous with his time and talents. His interests were endless and he mastered them all. His work as a skilled craftsman was well known and he was always happy to help a friend with a project (even when he had one in progress of his own). His most famous work was a deck he completed at Woodside Rd. which earned a national award from Home Mecahnix Magazine. He was an outstanding travel guide and loved exploring the U.S. with visiting family and friends. He prized the friendships he made throughout his life. His golfing buddies were wonderful companions and he shared fond memories with them over many years.
Ronald was the third child of George Edward Dawson and Norah (Nicholson) Dawson, of East Bedfont, Middlesex, England, who predeceased him. His older brother, Robert (June) Dawson died in 2019 and his younger brother, Frank Dawson, died in 1960. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Delores Dawson; and two sisters, Barbara Cobb and Jennifer (Michael) Perkins. There are nieces and nephews, Michael (Kamira) Dawson, Christine Dawson, Marty (Helen) McLaughlin, Paul (Shannon) Dawson, Mark (Jackie) Cobb, Peter (Deborah) Cobb, Joanne Money, Isobel (James) Leaviss, and David (Tracey) Perkins. Ronald is survived by 14 great nieces and nephews. Delores’s relatives are Paul (deceased) and Donna Olszewski, Sister Bernice Olszewski, O.P., Darlene (John) Hamaker, Bernadette (Stan) Tebbe, Gerald (Patricia) Olszewski, and Mary Ann Ward. Ronald is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews in Delores’s family.
A memorial mass for Ronald Dawson will be held later in the year when public gatherings are once again safe. Please make contributions to St. Mary’s