Published: Saturday, 18th October, 2008 08:30
Memorial service for former shipyard chief
By Fiona Howard
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WELL known Shandon man Sir Robert Easton, the chairman of Yarrows Shipbuilders on the Clyde and a recognised pioneer of naval design, has died.
He died of cancer at his home in Stuckenduff on Friday, aged 85. He leaves wife, Jean, 84, a son and a daughter.
Sir Robert was best known for steering Yarrows through troubled times in the 1970s and 1980s, keeping the workforce together as defence spending cuts meant Royal Navy orders faded away.
Born in Govan, he started his 43 year career as an apprentice in Govan Shipyard then worked as an estimator in 1951 at Yarrow, Scotland’s last main warship yard.
He became sales director, deputy managing director. then chairman and managing director.
His son, Murray, now managing director of BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, succeeded his father at Yarrows in 1991.
As Britain’s position as a warship builder to the world was gradually eroded by foreign competition it was Sir Robert who took up the challenge of making Yarrows work.
While at Yarrows, Sir Robert was involved in the launch of 103 ships and presided over a turbulent period of Clyde shipbuilding history.
He modestly claimed only limited successes at Yarrows in 1972 having brought the company back into the black — despite “the attitude of the unions”.
However, he has been credited with helping to transform the industry from a “holiday camp” into a vibrant enterprise.
Sir Robert also served as Chancellor of the University of Paisley for 11 years.
A memorial service will be held at Glasgow Cathedral on Friday at 11.30am followed by the funeral at Clydebank Crematorium at 1.30pm.
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