Ronald Douglas McGlashan (1930 – 2009)

December 22nd, 2009 by JCB
Posted in Obituaries | No Comments »

RONALD DOUGLAS  McGLASHAN    1930 – 2009

Born in Ulverston, in the Lake district, Douglas McClashan spent a happy childhood enjoying the freedom that living in such an area provided. In 1944 the family moved to Cupar in Fife, but Douglas’ father died suddenly shortly after the move and with his Mother having to find work they moved to Leith and Douglas had to look after his three year old brother, Ken. At 16 he decided on a career in the Merchant Navy and joined Christian Salversen as a deck boy. Whilst serving in this capacity one of the old sailors urged him to study “Do you want to do this for the rest of your life?”. Douglas heeded this call and whilst working his way up through the certificate grades his voyages took him to South Georgia, Antarctica and Canada before returning to the Norwegian coastal trade. In 1958 he obtained his Master’s certificate and shortly afterwards he was promoted to Captain. In 1962 he became authorised as a pilot on the Forth where he served for the next 27 years until forced into early retirement by rheumatoid arthritis.

Douglas married Betty in 1957 and they moved to Silverknowes Brae where they enjoyed a happy family life for the next 52 years, enhanced by the birth of their daughter, Ruth in 1959 and son Andrew in 1965 and later on three grandsons. Despite his illness, Douglas was renowned for his sense of humour and cheerfulness and having turned his skills to cooking he became well known in the local supermarkets, spending time choosing ingredients for meals for family and friends which became legendary. In the latter years of his retirement Douglas’ health deteriorated further and in 2006 he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and in 2008 he became blind. Despite all the suffering Douglas never lost his sense of humour and fun and during his many stays in hospital he was a very popular patient with the doctors and nurses. He passed away peacefully on the 10th July and will be much missed by his friends and colleagues but especially by Betty, Ruth and Andrew and his three grandsons: Rory, Lewis  and Neil.

Submitted by Malcolm Rose ( Retired Pilot: Forth)