Nethy Bridge favourite was 'always full of ideas and a desire to help'
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Abernethy Old Kirk was packed on Tuesday for a celebration of the life of community favourite Ronnie Dunn.
Mr Dunn (78) died peacefully at home in Nethy Bridge on Saturday, January 20.
The Nethy celebration followed a funeral service at Inverness Crematorium and was attended by family and friends who had been asked to wear ‘a splash of colour’ in accordance with the way he had lived his eventful life.
Chapters included running a hugely popular pub – RD’s – on Aviemore’s Grampian Road in his earlier days.
He and his wife Chris, on moving up from the Glasgow area, acquired the simple Duack Lodge in 1982 at Nethy and when a little later they applied to build a more modern, permanent home of their own nearby an objection prompted a stack of letters of support from the community, attesting to his and his family’s decades-long contribution to the common good.
Among many other roles, Mr Dunn proved himself over the years as a tireless rotarian.
The current secretary, Barbara Paterson, told the Strathy: “Ronnie was a great and enthusiastic member of the Rotary Club of Spey Valley.
“He was president twice.
“The first time was in 2003/4 and the second in 2020/21, which he was unfortunately unable to complete due to ill health.
“But that did not stop him wanting to help and participate in all that the club were doing.”
Mrs Paterson paid tribute on behalf of the club to Mr Dunn’s resourcefulness.
She said: “Ronnie had an endless supply of ideas which he encouraged the club to take forward.
“This included a trip for us all to the Perth Races – it was definitely an experience for everyone!
“Ronnie also suggested and ran successful curry nights in the Nethy Bridge Community Centre and raised more than £2,000 for local charities and worthy causes. His positive attitude and his desire to always help out will be missed by all in Rotary.”
Mr Dunn is survived by Chris, son Ross and daughter Claire.
