Emeritus Consultants Biographies

Ronald Cecil BOWYER University of Western Australia BSc (Hons) 1955, PhD 1964 FAACB 1974 Consultant Biochemist

Ron Bowyer was born in Perth in October 1936, the son of Cecil Bowyer a metallurgist and Mary Evelyn (nee) Lanham.

Ron went to the University of Western Australia and graduated BSc with Honours in 1955.  He obtained his PhD in 1964.

In 1963, he was appointed Biochemist in the Department of Biochemistry Royal Perth Hospital and following this he worked with Professor Brockis on renal stones.

In 1972, Ron went to England to spend time working with Professor Whitehead in Birmingham.

Ron had a distinguished career both as a biochemist and an administrator.  He was a member of the Library Committee for very many years and was its chairman for more than 14 years.  He also served on various computer committees over many years.  He was Honorary Secretary of the Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists from 1980-84 and its representative to the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry from 1984-87.  This culminated in the successful bid to have the 1993 International Meeting held in Melbourne.  He was made a member of the Organising Committee for this meeting, which was a great success.  With David Curnow and others, he was involved in establishing the Asian and Pacific Federation of Clinical Biochemistry and was its inaugural Vice President.

Ron always had an interest in computers and computing and he had a major role in setting up the early (VAX) biochemistry computer.  Quality control was also one of his major interests. He was involved in the implementation of the National Q.C. Scheme in the early 80s and was a member of the Expert International Panel on Q.C.

He has published widely in International journals with some 40 papers.

In 1961, Ron married Diane Sides and they have two daughters; Helen and Roslyn.  Outside of his professional life he is interested in singing and cycling.  He was Vice President of The Cycle Touring Association and Editor of the newsletter "Still Cycling".  He has been a member of the U.W.A Choral Society since 1989 and is also a member of the WASO chorus.

Ron was appointed Head of Department early in 1994 and retired on 31st December 1994.  In recognition of his service to the hospital, the Board of Management appointed him Emeritus Consultant Biochemist.