Tributes have been paid to a former journalist and PR guru, who was once awarded a knighthood by the Malaysian royal family, who has died aged 90. 

Ronald ‘Ron’ Peter Kirby, died on August 18 aged 90, his family said.

Ron made his name in journalism, which is where he has been fondly remembered. 

Ron was made news editor, then editor, of the Warrington Examiner at the age of 23. He then worked for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph (LET) where he became the first journalist to publish a regular column on space travel.

 

Ron Kirby with a set of papersRon Kirby with a set of papers (Image: The Kirby family)

Speaking about her father's life, Victoria said: "What's struck me since telling people dad's died is how many people he mentored and gave advice to as they were making their own way in their careers. 

"He was a wonderful dad, as well as a huge inspiration to many aspiring journalists and those in the PR community."

From left: Ron Kirby, Ryan Keyes, Victoria Keyes and Carole Kirby in 2017 at the Keyes weddingFrom left: Ron Kirby, Ryan Keyes, Victoria Keyes and Carole Kirby in 2017 at the Keyes wedding (Image: The Kirby family)

 

An avid writer, Victoria said her father spent time each week writing letters to the Daily Telegraph and the Dorset Echo in his retirement. 

Liverpool-born Ron was evacuated to Madeley in Shropshire upon the outbreak of the Second World War and become a reporter with the Shrewsbury Chronicle after leaving school. One colleague described Ron as the most enthusiastic reporter he had known in his life.

 

Carole, Victoria and Ron KirbyCarole, Victoria and Ron Kirby (Image: The Kirby family)

After seven years with the LET and a stint with the Hemel Hempstead Evening Echo, Ron became the PR manager of Europe for an international company in London, Sime Darby.

The company was taken over by Malaysian interests, introducing Ron to the Far East, where he visited Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. It was at Sime Darby where Ron met his wife. 

Also during this period, Ron was introduced to the Sultan and Sultanah of Kedah, Malaysia, and soon became guardian to their two daughters, Soraya and Intan, while they were educated in England. 

In 2008, Ron was awarded a Datoship (knighthood) by the Sultan for services to Kedah and the Kedah Royal Family. He was the first Brit to be awarded the title Dato’ in Kedah. 

Ron KirbyRon Kirby (Image: The Kirby family) Ron also worked with the Engineering Council as public affairs director for 13 years, using his Fleet Street contacts to his advantage to put them on the map, 

One of his tasks was to run the Young Engineers for Britain competition, which attracted thousands of young people to design and make engineering devices which had not been manufactured before.

He was also deputy chairman of Women Into Science and Engineering (WISE), which helped raise the number of women in professional engineering from seven per cent to 14 per cent.

Through his career in engineering, Ron brushed shoulders with the late Queen Elizabeth II, Margaret Thatcher, the then Prince Charles, Princess Diana and John Major. 

Before retirement, Ron was awarded the OBE 'for services to British engineering' which he received at Buckingham Palace, accompanied by his family.

Ron Kirby during the 1980sRon Kirby during the 1980s (Image: The Kirby family)

He moved to Dorchester in 2006 with his wife Carole and daughter Victoria, becoming involved in a number of medical causes, including the Dorset Cancer Network partnership panel, and the Go Group, which supports former patients.

His funeral will be held next month.