Ronald M. Helmer

Author: Ronald Munro Helmer

Ronald Munro Helmer
b. 1924 – d. 2005

A lifelong Calgarian, Ron grew up in the southwest community of Scarboro. He attended Sunalta Elementary, Central High School, and the University of Alberta where he was the first Engineering student to hold the office of Students' Union President. After graduating with a chemical engineering degree in 1946, Ron worked briefly for Bird Archer Co., but soon realized he liked to run his own show. Ron then founded Helmer Chemical Company, which later became Tam O'Shanter Industries, Ltd.

Ron's early success in the oilfield chemical business allowed him to pursue his two great loves: traveling and writing. Over his lifetime, Ron traveled extensively and wrote detailed, humorous accounts of his journeys and adventures. Of all his traveling adventures, he is probably best known for his 1954, 36-day crossing of the Pacific from Honolulu to Victoria in a 27-foot sloop with New Zealander, Deny Ryan.

In addition to his memoirs, Ron published two novels: Stag Party, an account of his adventures with New Zealand deer cullers, and Peddler in the Patch, a novel loosely-based on Ron's experiences in the international oil industry.