Fenton, Ray

Ray Fenton was born in Surrey, England, and studied physics at Reading University before completing Post Graduate studies in London.

He travelled to Australia in 1965 as a 27 year old, with his wife, Lynne, and their young daughter, Ruth, on the P&O Cruise Ship, Himalaya. Upon their arrival in Ballarat, Ray took up a position with the Physics department at the School of Mines and stayed in that role until he retired in the mid-nineties.

Ray was a quiet, unassuming person with an excellent knowledge of physics, particularly optics. A School of Mines colleague introduced Ray to rock climbing and this became his passion, occupying much of his leisure time. He had more success encouraging his students to go climbing with him, than he did with other members of the physics staff who proved to have no aptitude for climbing! At one time, he also took his son, Simon, on a climbing trip to the Himalayas.

In his retirement Ray travelled overseas to a number of countries for climbing and bush walking trips and he was an active member of the U3A Bushwalking Club.

Ray died at age 79 while climbing.

Submitted by former colleagues, Alan Ballard and Geoff Boyd.