Heritage & Sons
Wendover
Ceremony Details
The Ceremony for Ronald Clarence Evens will be held on:
Thursday, 08 May 2025 14:30
Whielden Lane
Amersham
HP7 OND
A celebration of the life of Ron Evens. Please note that the dress code is "colourful".
Committal Details
The Committal for Ronald Clarence Evens will be held on:
Thursday, 08 May 2025 14:30
Whielden Lane
Amersham
HP7 OND
Reception Details
The Reception for Ronald Clarence Evens will be held on:
Thursday, 08 May 2025 15:45
Jenkins Lane
St Leonards
HP23 6NW
Anyone attending the funeral is welcome. It would be helpful to have an idea of numbers: please register below or send an email if you are thinking of coming. Unless disabled, please park in the Parish Hall car park, 100m to the east of the house on the other side of the road.
In memory of
Ronald Clarence Evens (Ron)
Ron was born in Portsmouth on 22nd August 1926 and grew up in Gosport.
On leaving school in 1941, he became a Youth in Training with the BBC, working on short wave transmitters at Woofferton.
Ron met his future wife, Rita, at a Saturday evening dance in nearby Tenbury Wells in 1943. Rita had grown up locally and was working as a shorthand typist in a Munitions Factory.
On VE Day (8th May 1945) Ron was called up and joined the Navy. On his way to induction, the train stopped for celebrations, which made him late, so he was put on a charge on arrival. Happily, his service was less troublesome and, until his demob in 1947, he was shore-based at Winchester Receiving Station where they sent telex messages to Whitehall. Among his more pleasant tasks was sending messages from the troops telling their families of arrangements for their return home. During this time Ron and Rita's romance flourished and they arranged to marry in 1946. However, Ron and his best man were both studying at Chelsea Polytechnic and their leave was contingent on each of them passing their exams. No Leave! No
Wedding! Ron had taken the precaution of having a second friend lined up as best man but, in the event, this wasn't necessary. Each came through with flying colours!
Rita joined Ron in Winchester where she worked in the office of the local hospital until Ron was demobbed and rejoined the BBC, studying part-time and becoming a Chartered Engineer in 1951, coming top of that year's entries. In that year also, their daughter Susan was born and two years later their son Mark.
In 1958 to 1960, Ron was seconded to the Colonial Office to work in the Solomon Islands to install a studio and two transmitters to replace the radio station used by the US Military during WWII, this becoming the "Solomon Islands Broadcasting Service" in 1959. He was then told "You're from the BBC - you can read the news", which terrified him but, of course, he did it and continued to read it every day. The children remember this as a very happy time in a beautiful climate where the only downside was the mosquitos.
From 1960 to 65 Ron was engaged in installing BBC2 at the Television Centre and was seconded to CBS in New York for six months. On this occasion the family stayed in England since they felt it would have been too disruptive to the children's schooling if they all went. In 1966, Ron started work on computers, becoming a Computer and Automation Development Engineer and, in 1977, Head of Broadcasting and Computer Systems Section, before retiring in 1983.
Whilst he may have retired from work in London, life continued to be busy, Ron was a keen vegetable gardener while Rita tended the flowers. Ron had always been artistic, studied art at school, continued to be a very keen artist for most of his life and was able to devote more of his time to this hobby in retirement. In 1960 he had been a founding member of the Chiltern Painters group and continued to be very active in the group, participating in many of their exhibitions. He also taught a "Painting for Pleasure" class in Chesham for several years. In fact, he was an artist in many ways and enjoyed acting and singing in amateur dramatics - he took part in various dramatic productions: as a pantomime dame on several occasions; as the porter in Macbeth; and as Captain Cat in Under Milk Wood. His skills as an artist also came to the fore in painting the backdrops.
For 12 years, Ron was a member of the Parish Council and latterly a trustee of Cholesbury Village Hall, where many of the plays were staged.
With advancing age, Ron and Rita continued to read, garden and do incredibly complicated jigsaws such as a 3D clock case and an amazing African wildlife puzzle (4ft by 3ft), which has now been framed. Ron also maintained an interest in the wildlife in their garden, monitoring on camera the activities in the various nesting boxes.
On March 10th, 2016, Rita and Ron celebrated their Platinum (70th) wedding anniversary with a splendid reception at St. Leonards Parish Hall. When asked why their marriage lasted so well, Ron joked that he does what he is told (before he is told, if possible!).
Rita became increasingly frail and was lovingly cared for by Ron. After her death in 2021, Ron soldiered on, although becoming increasing frail himself. Despite his difficulties, he was able to stay in his own home, receiving first-class care from 'Your Own Home Care', and always managed a beaming smile when greeting his carers or family. He would frequently spontaneously burst into song, bringing a smile to everyone's lips. He never lost his intellect or generosity of spirit and left this world peacefully on April 10th, 2025, singing almost until his last breath.
On leaving school in 1941, he became a Youth in Training with the BBC, working on short wave transmitters at Woofferton.
Ron met his future wife, Rita, at a Saturday evening dance in nearby Tenbury Wells in 1943. Rita had grown up locally and was working as a shorthand typist in a Munitions Factory.
On VE Day (8th May 1945) Ron was called up and joined the Navy. On his way to induction, the train stopped for celebrations, which made him late, so he was put on a charge on arrival. Happily, his service was less troublesome and, until his demob in 1947, he was shore-based at Winchester Receiving Station where they sent telex messages to Whitehall. Among his more pleasant tasks was sending messages from the troops telling their families of arrangements for their return home. During this time Ron and Rita's romance flourished and they arranged to marry in 1946. However, Ron and his best man were both studying at Chelsea Polytechnic and their leave was contingent on each of them passing their exams. No Leave! No
Wedding! Ron had taken the precaution of having a second friend lined up as best man but, in the event, this wasn't necessary. Each came through with flying colours!
Rita joined Ron in Winchester where she worked in the office of the local hospital until Ron was demobbed and rejoined the BBC, studying part-time and becoming a Chartered Engineer in 1951, coming top of that year's entries. In that year also, their daughter Susan was born and two years later their son Mark.
In 1958 to 1960, Ron was seconded to the Colonial Office to work in the Solomon Islands to install a studio and two transmitters to replace the radio station used by the US Military during WWII, this becoming the "Solomon Islands Broadcasting Service" in 1959. He was then told "You're from the BBC - you can read the news", which terrified him but, of course, he did it and continued to read it every day. The children remember this as a very happy time in a beautiful climate where the only downside was the mosquitos.
From 1960 to 65 Ron was engaged in installing BBC2 at the Television Centre and was seconded to CBS in New York for six months. On this occasion the family stayed in England since they felt it would have been too disruptive to the children's schooling if they all went. In 1966, Ron started work on computers, becoming a Computer and Automation Development Engineer and, in 1977, Head of Broadcasting and Computer Systems Section, before retiring in 1983.
Whilst he may have retired from work in London, life continued to be busy, Ron was a keen vegetable gardener while Rita tended the flowers. Ron had always been artistic, studied art at school, continued to be a very keen artist for most of his life and was able to devote more of his time to this hobby in retirement. In 1960 he had been a founding member of the Chiltern Painters group and continued to be very active in the group, participating in many of their exhibitions. He also taught a "Painting for Pleasure" class in Chesham for several years. In fact, he was an artist in many ways and enjoyed acting and singing in amateur dramatics - he took part in various dramatic productions: as a pantomime dame on several occasions; as the porter in Macbeth; and as Captain Cat in Under Milk Wood. His skills as an artist also came to the fore in painting the backdrops.
For 12 years, Ron was a member of the Parish Council and latterly a trustee of Cholesbury Village Hall, where many of the plays were staged.
With advancing age, Ron and Rita continued to read, garden and do incredibly complicated jigsaws such as a 3D clock case and an amazing African wildlife puzzle (4ft by 3ft), which has now been framed. Ron also maintained an interest in the wildlife in their garden, monitoring on camera the activities in the various nesting boxes.
On March 10th, 2016, Rita and Ron celebrated their Platinum (70th) wedding anniversary with a splendid reception at St. Leonards Parish Hall. When asked why their marriage lasted so well, Ron joked that he does what he is told (before he is told, if possible!).
Rita became increasingly frail and was lovingly cared for by Ron. After her death in 2021, Ron soldiered on, although becoming increasing frail himself. Despite his difficulties, he was able to stay in his own home, receiving first-class care from 'Your Own Home Care', and always managed a beaming smile when greeting his carers or family. He would frequently spontaneously burst into song, bringing a smile to everyone's lips. He never lost his intellect or generosity of spirit and left this world peacefully on April 10th, 2025, singing almost until his last breath.
Donations
Donations for Ronald Clarence Evens (Ron) £141.88
Retiring Funds at Funeral
Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care
Retiring Funds at Funeral
RNLI - Poole - HQ
Rob Meeks
RNLI - Poole - HQ
Tim Phillips
Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care
Sally Lee
RNLI - Poole - HQ
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