RONALD RAYMOND CLAYTON (MAJOR, RETIRED)

Condolences & Memories (3 entries)

• I too had the very good fortune of knowing Ron, and working at Transport Canada when he was there. We didn't work in the same shop, but I had dealings with Ron with the usual pilot stuff. It was always a pleasure to be around Ron, always pleasant, kind, helpful and I just loved his corny sense of humour. I was flying in Sweden for awhile, and I had to deal with Ron about licensing issues. Ron couldn't do enough to help me, which I appreciated so much, and never forgot, a true gentleman and professional. He had the reputation of a stickler, and rightly so, when it came to procedures and flying, but he was fair despite his reputation. I had to do a couple of Instrument checks with Ron, and somehow I managed to convince Ron to give me a class I rating, which made that achievement more relished with Ron's approval. I had the greatest respect for Ron as a person and professional. He used to call me B'Dick, which came from his sense of humour. I think of him once in awhile, and I think Ron is up there doing loops and rolls in his Sabre. Happy flying Ron!!! Brian - Posted by: Brian Dick (Friend) on: Dec 23, 2014

• A sad day for all of us who knew Ron. He was a respected, cheerful, even-keeled colleague who always gave more than he got. It was a privilege to be on Ron's team. - Posted by: Mike Murphy (Former colleague - Transport Canada, Central Region, Winnipeg) on: May 19, 2012

• Flying with Ron was always a learning experience. In the thousands of people with whom I have flown, rarely did I see anyone as knowledgeable as Ron, and I learned a great deal from him. Despite my continual improvement, I never able to emulate his total mastery of an aircraft while instrument flying. My period of 12 years of working with Superintendent Ron Clayton as my direct supervisor and Gerry Langen as Regional Manager were the best of my entire working career. His very fair, but firm way of ensuring his staff maintained the appropriate professional standards is something I unconsciously incorporate in my present position. One of my favourite humourous memories of Ron was when he was dealing with a highly obnoxious "customer" at the counter who was upset over Transport Canada's standards of accepting some required piece of evidence in support of an application. This fellow was causing a real "kerfuffle" with the support staff, and Ron left his desk to lend assistance. I recall Ron's response clearly .... "Sir, I certainly hope you aren't purposely attempting to provoke a confrontation, because if so, you'll find that you've found one." The fellow looked at Ron for a couple of seconds and calmed right down. Those of us watching could hardly contain ourselves. Ron was a wonderful fellow, and we shared a great many fun times at "Flight Safety Meetings" after work, or attending national workshops and conferences regarding pilot licensing or instrument flight standards. I always envied him his exciting life full of interesting experiences as a fighter pilot based in Europe during the Cold War, his time as an instructor teaching other fighter pilots at Cold Lake, or having worked on the staff at the Instrument Check Pilot School before becoming a Civil Aviation Inspector with Transport Canada. I can only hope that somewhere well above us, the essence of Ron's inner being is flying one of his favourite aircraft ... the Canadair Sabre, and enjoying fake dogfights above the clouds with an opponent who is just challenging enough to make it fun. Regards to Margot and the family. Good bye to my friend and mentor, Ron Clayton. Lee Smith - Posted by: Lee Smith (Fellow pilot and Transport Canada Civil Aviation Inspector) on: May 19, 2012