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Chronicle
2015-2016
31
9792
Aged 47
Timothy Ronald
Ballantyne
Tim was born in Christchurch, the third son
of Lesley and Campbell Ballantyne (5383). He
attended Medbury School and then Christ’s
College from 1981 to 1985 where he was in
Harper House. During his time at College he was
a school prefect and attained school colours in
both rugby and rowing.
Tim subsequently studied mechanical
engineering at the University of Canterbury and
obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
He then travelled overseas, eventually finding
himself in the United Kingdom where he put his
engineering knowledge to use, becoming involved
in transport safety management systems. He
became an expert in this field, and specifically
railway safety management, establishing his own
consultancy company in London. Tim was never
afraid to take on something new and one of his
most interesting projects was his involvement
with the planning and construction of the
Emirates airline cable car which was built
across the Thames River prior to the 2012
London Olympics.
After leaving College, Tim maintained his
interest in rowing. He continued to row in
London, competing regularly for the Thames
Rowing Club for a number of years. And, like
the rest of his family, Tim had learnt to sail at an
early age. After he stopped rowing competitively
he became increasingly interested in ocean
yacht racing. He took a year out to crew on one
of the boats which competed in the BT Global
Challenge around the world yacht race. Tim’s
analytical mind meant he was soon an expert
in ocean racing tactics and his boat, LG Flatron,
eventually won the race. Tim then returned to
dinghy sailing and actively competed in the laser
class over a number of years including New
Zealand, European and world championships.
Tim’s entrepreneurial streak led to an interest
in property in the UK. He owned a number of
properties over the years and he enjoyed the
challenge of restoring and maintaining them.
He eventually settled in Henley-on-Thames and
had recently bought land on which he intended
to project manage the building of a family home.
The planning of this last project occupied him
during 2015 when he suddenly found himself
being treated for leukaemia.
Tim died in the Royal Berkshire Hospital on
16 October 2015. He was farewelled by his
family, his many friends and colleagues at a
celebration of his life in the River and Rowing
Museum in Henley, and again by immediate
family when his ashes were scattered on Akaroa
Harbour on Boxing Day 2015. He is survived by
his wife Liz and three year old son Oscar.