From trades to trailblazer: How Ron Huby built an engineering legacy

“I have seen a lot of instances of UNSW having changed the world. They’re not followers, they’re leaders.”

Growing up in Sydney in the 1960s and ’70s, Ron Huby always took it for granted he’d follow in his parents' footsteps and pick up a job in the trades. His mother had been an ‘invisible mender’ at a woollen mill, and his father worked in construction. Smart and capable, they instilled in all three of their children a love of making and doing and a respect for hard work. Although his father had told him he had the makings of a fine engineer, Ron didn’t think he was academically gifted enough. 

“When my results came through, I got a pleasant surprise – I had the marks to go to university [to study engineering],” Ron says.

Fascinated by emerging technologies like micro-processing, Ron chose to study electrical engineering at UNSW. On day one, more than 300 students filled the lecture theatre. As the first in his family to continue past Year 10, Ron was overwhelmed. “I had a massive [case of] imposter syndrome, and I thought everybody else was smarter than me.”

Ron was part of an extraordinary UNSW engineering cohort including Dr Peter Farrell AM, who completed a Doctor of Science at UNSW in 1981 and founded ResMed, the company behind CPAP machines and masks, and solar energy pioneer Scientia Professor Martin Green. Ron was also inspired by industry figures including Peter Vogel, co-creator of the Fairlight digital synthesiser.

Ron worked with Vogel on the Fairlight CMI Series III, refining the sound of the machine that defined 1980s pop music, and featured in hits by Kate Bush, U2 and Tears for Fears. He later spent nearly two decades at ResMed, inventing and refining a vast catalogue of personal health devices and serving as a representative to the World Health Organisation. By the time he left, his name was attached to more than 80 international patents.

Inspiring the next generation

Ron started taking on mentoring while he was still working at ResMed, instilling in young engineers some of the principles he held most dear: that engineering is a team effort, that everyone should devote part of their working week to helping others, and that you should always be looking for opportunities to learn and grow. When he saw a call-out from UNSW for mentors in the Engineering faculty, he was quick to put up his hand.

“It’s great to give young people some of the guidance that I didn’t get as a young engineer, that I had to learn the hard way,” he says.

Ron also contributes to the scholarships championed by UNSW Chancellor David Gonski, aimed at supporting students from socially and economically diverse backgrounds. “I’ve had the opportunity to talk to some of those students, and their stories feel very similar to mine,” Ron says.

The students Ron has mentored talk about his wisdom, kindness and ability to uplift them through humour and positivity.

“Ron gave me clarity and confidence in my future as an engineer… He taught me to see challenges as opportunities, and to make the most of the skills and experiences I’ve gained. His belief in me was incredibly motivating,”

– fourth-year student Alofainamailelagi.

Changing the world with a generous gift

Now, in recognition of the opportunities he found at UNSW, Ron has chosen to leave the University a generous gift in his Will – or, as he puts it: “Ron went to UNSW, made a bit of money, and thought it was a good idea to put some back.”

“I have seen a lot of instances of UNSW having changed the world. They’re not followers, they’re leaders,” he says. “And for every success story, there are probably 50 or more projects that never see the light of day, but you have to back those long shots.”

Ron has requested his gift in his Will be used wherever it will do the most good – a decision that brings him great satisfaction.

“You can feel good about having supported the University to progress an idea for the good of society. To some extent, it’s like tossing your hat in the ring – maybe nothing comes of it, but maybe it creates something that lasts for generations."

You, too, can support groundbreaking research and help future generations by including UNSW in your Will. For more information, contact Janet Hall at giftsinwills@unsw.edu.au or +61 478 492 032.