GARTH HERON, one of Scotland's top human resources managers, has died, aged 59.
DESCRIBED as a "shrewd judge of character", "good natured" and, above all, a "family man", Garth Heron was a much-loved adopted son of Edinburgh.
The attendance of over 700 at his funeral service reflected the wide range of family, friends and col
leagues who wished to pay tribute to him.
The youngest of a family of six, he was raised in Northern Ireland by his Royal Ulster Constabulary parents.
He was educated at Friends' School, Lisburn, then studied history and politics at Queens University Belfast, before moving on to personnel management at Strathclyde University.
It was on his move to Scotland that Mr Heron met Louise, his future wife, and they were married in 1977.
"He had very firm principles and nothing would shake him from doing the right thing," said Mrs Heron. "He was full of integrity." The couple had two children – a daughter, Tanya, and son, also Garth.
After a couple of early roles in London and then at Bourns Trimpot in Fife, Mr Heron was appointed compensation and benefits manager in Honeywell Scottish Factories where he quickly gained credibility with senior management, the 3500 staff, and the five trades unions.
In 1983, he was appointed personnel director for Honeywell UK Ltd, and moved from Edinburgh to Bracknell, Berkshire.
Returning to Scotland in 1987, he accepted the role of personnel director of the Clydesdale Bank just two days before it was taken over by the National Australia Group. A colleague described him as "having a constant good nature", and he had genuine compassion for staff as the bank went through significant changes.
In 1993, Mr Heron was appointed human resources director of United Distillers, visiting the many distilleries and bottling halls of Scotland's national product.
Leaving United Distillers in 1995, Mr Heron set up Garth Heron Search and Consultancy in the Capital, with the objectives of being his own boss and delivering a first-class service to clients.
As well as a distinguished career, Mr Heron followed many personal pursuits.
He served as a governor at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh, with a Fijian pupil so warmly regarding Mr Heron as his Scottish father that he named his nephew Garth Heron.
Derek Smith, who worked with Mr Heron when he was governor of Merchiston Castle School, said: "He was a charming and very kind man. A very gracious man, who lived to his Christian faith every day and always was there to help people from all walks of life."
His many interests included sport, especially Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan Rugby League, and he relished a day at the races in Hawick and cinema trips with his family.
Despite 28 knee operations, including three knee replacements, Mr Heron was an active member at Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society and Kilspindie Golf Club.
An elder at Cramond Kirk for 21 years, Mr Heron welcomed many new members and new ministers to the church, as well as taking a leading role in the Millennium project at Cramond.
Mr Heron died suddenly at work on August 28, aged 59.
The full article contains 529 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
