Professor Ron McCaffer joined Loughborough University in the early 1970’s as a lecturer of Construction Management. He came with significant industrial experience having worked on major projects in the UK including Hinkley B Nuclear Power Station and the Invergordon Aluminium Smelting plant. His experiences on these projects shaped his future research and teaching – believing that it was primarily the management and delivery of projects, and not their engineering, that caused the most problems.
Together with his colleagues, Frank Harris and Richard Neale, he quickly established Loughborough as the centre of Construction Management teaching and research in the UK. He was a pioneer in the early adoption of computer methods in Construction Management and specifically their role in estimating, measurement and cost control. He published widely and his textbooks have become standard material on courses internationally. He was an excellent teacher and supervisor and enjoyed developing the careers of countless students over the years.
Given his drive and acumen, his career at Loughborough was unsurprising, rising through the ranks to become Professor, Head of Department, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and finally Senior Pro-Vice Chancellor (today called Deputy Vice- Chancellor). He served with distinction on many industry and government bodies and was a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Smeatonian Society (the oldest Engineering Society in the world). He also developed the MERIT simulation that has been played by thousands of graduate engineers internationally.
Our sincere condolences go to Professor Ron McCaffer’s family. We know that many colleagues on campus knew Ron well and our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
If you’re a member of staff, the Employee Assistance Programme is available to provide support to you if you need it. If you would find comfort in the Chaplaincy, you can contact them on 01509 223741 or email chaplaincy@lboro.ac.uk.