Bob Collins has passed on sad news to start 2025.
Ray’s wife, Elizabeth rang Bob with news that Ray passed away on Monday after being admitted to hospital on Boxing Day. Ray had not been well for a few years and Elizabeth told Bob that he had been going downhill since the loss of his twin brother, Bernard, a few months ago. Bob observed this himself on a recent visit.
Ray started his career as a radio apprentice with AWA and obtained his HSC at night school and a degree in electrical engineering before joining OTC. Most of us would remember him working in cable engineering and manager of Perth ITC.
Ray had a very small group of friends so Elizabeth is still considering what service will be held. If there are any updates on this Bob or Elizabeth will let us know.
If anyone wishes to send condolences please email me at president@otva.com if you would like Elizabeth’s address.
3 Comments
RIP Ray.
Ray was a bloody nice bloke. I liked him.
Ron Beckett
I remember Ray as one of the most energetic, reliable and efficient Professional Engineers I had the honour to have on my staff, during the 1970s and 1980s.
Fortunately I was able to allocate well defined tasks to him, but complex ones requiring the acquisition of many new, non Coms skill sets, including the refurbishment of a stand by diesel generator at Paddington. Quite new skills for a Coms Engineer. Secondly he was involved in building works at various stations which required a thorough knowledge of the Building Code and the Wiring Rules. Other projects he worked on were at Satellite Stations and Paddington and Broadway, being regular Coms work.
His attitude was that no job could be sufficient of a challenge that he could not master it. Following my slogan “All things are possible…..”.
At that time he had a genuinely Aussie approach and personality at work. He also obviously worked hard to improve his home, building a swimming pool and was one of the earliest of our colleagues to do so.
Not so long ago you Peter communicated that Ray was ill in hospital, and I had a useful conversation with him. But it was very apparent that he was not happy with his condition, and disappointed at his lack of long term prospects.
He established a good professional and personal relationship with Jim White who was also a brilliant Engineer on my staff. Jim resigned to take up a Newsagency in Gympie and Ray and his family visited Jim and his family on more than one occasion.
Both Ray and Jim were devoted to their work and improvement of the lifestyles of their families; not spending time playing dungeons, and apolitical,- most refreshing attitudes at that time when other agendas were diverting the attention of many.
My sincere condolences to Ray’s wife and family.
His place in my memory will be forever.
Yours sincerely,
Wallace W DONALD
Saddened to hear of Ray THOMPSON’s passing. Very sad.
From my memory, Ray joined OTC in around 1968 when OTC was hiring heavily. He joined from AWA and was appointed as a Technical Assistant.
Ray did study part time at UTS but not certain while at OTC and was appointed as an Engineer Grade 1 when he graduated. He wasn’t the only one to go on to study Engineering part time. One that comes to mind is Noel Oxley. I chose to NOT study Engineering!
Ray was a fine man and highly respected Engineer and a very family oriented man.
I recall Elizabeth as she and Ray attended the memorable OTC Balls in the 70’s.
Rob McAulay.