Obituary: Ronnie Brown

OT is sad to report the death of optometrist Ronnie Brown, founder of the Ronald Brown Group of opticians.

The 21-practice group, based in London and the home counties, was bought by Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care in 2006.

Born in May 1933, Mr Brown qualified as an ophthalmic optician at Northampton Polytechnic and opened his first practice in 1957.

His son, Jeremy Brown, former managing director of the Ronald Brown Group, told OT: “Through partnerships with other optometrists and acquisitions of other practices, the group became well known throughout the north and east London suburbs, and the home counties.”

Paying tribute to his father, he added: “Ronnie was an amazing family man, always caring for his loving parents, his wife Doreen, and providing for his three children and six grandchildren. He was an amazing sportsman in his youth and throughout his life supported many worthwhile charities.”

“Many people in the optical profession knew Ronnie, as in those days the profession was closely knit. He was a large character, often telling jokes and always happy to chat with anyone he met.

“He became frail over the last few months but his legacy of love and honesty lives on with his family and all those who knew him. He was a unique man and will be sorely missed."