I think grandaddy was very inspiring and caring.

-Love, Rowan

Dear Kit, 

I only became aware today of Ron's passing and want to offer my condolences. Ron and I didn't meet that often over the years, especially not recent years, but I think of him as a very dear friend. And colleague. We usually met when Ron came to Stockholm but occasionally in the U.S. as well. I often think of the dramatic skating we did together on the Baltic during the year you spent in Stockholm (ages ago). To hear Ron recount the story you would think it was he not Jesper, my expert skater husband, who had gone through the ice.

Warm wishes, Birgitta

It is with great sorrow that I've learned the death of Ronald W. Jones, a greet economist in the field of International Economics and an excellent teacher I enjoyed most during my graduate years at Rochester in the late 60's. He was also generous with his advice for whatever he was asked to comment...

I keep great souvenirs from my association with Rom from my Rochester years and from his three visits to Greece. His last visit to Greece was in 2011 with his wife Kit and his four children with their families to celebrate his 80th  birthday...

Ronald Jones passed away but my memory of him will last for the rest of my life...

Sincere condolences to his wife and children!

George E. Drakos, Ph.D.

Professor emeritus, University of Piraeus, Greece

Dear Kit, Dear members of the Jones family (Dear Dylan and Brenn):

I am thinking of you and wish you a good memorial event this evening and tomorrow at the University of Rochester. The talk to be given by Gene Grossmann will for sure be great. I would have loved to come, but it was impossible during this time towards the end of the term at the University of Basel. Thank you so much for the invitation. I am sure you will share wonderful memories.

I got to know Ron in 1992 when I was a postdoc at Simon Fraser University arriving in autumn 1991 for two years. I took Ron's graduate course in international trade theory and was fascinated. I thought this is THE way to do international trade theory, and economics in general. Using words, graphs and equations such that the audience can understand! But also the ideas he developed and the strategic simplification in his models that allowed him to study fundamental relationships I had never seen before. Ron and I discussed often, he was very encouraging and sometimes hinted to publications that he said appear to be related to my own ideas I developed. It usually took time until I understood why he mentioned a certain paper and in which way it related to my own research. Ron was very open to new ideas and, at that time, also worked on models with imperfect competition in vertically related markets (with Barbara Spencer).

I do not have to tell you that Ron was a giant in trade theory and a world-class economist. This is well known and has been emphasized by many. Ron was, however, also very kind and supportive, and had a great sense of humour. And his love for trade theory was contagious. I never have been able to talk with anybody else about trade theory so deeply, lively and in a pleasant way--and for hours in a row (also over a whole dinner with a glas of good wine). 

When Silvio Borner and I invited him to Switzerland in the 2nd half of the 1990s to give three papers of his in a seminar with students  in St. Moritz, he did also enjoy the mountains and the scenery. But, when we all three went for a walk towards the Morteratsch Glacier, Silvio was explaining a few things about the history and the natural texture of the valley and the glacier. But as he  stopped for a moment, Ron was looking at me (as I told you, Kit) and said: "Rolf, suppose two countries, one is relatively well endowed with ...". And we were then talking about trade theory (I still remember which paper it was). And I liked it very much, even though I had to think hard to follow, walking towards Morteratsch glacier. As we arrived, we of course also discussed a bit what had happened with the glacier over time.

I am extremely happy that I met Ron and thankful that we stayed in touch until last summer. His many visits to the University of Basel were always a highlight. And the meeting we had in Vancouver at UBC in 2016 was very important (I also was invited for lunch at, it must be, Polly's house) when we planned our "200 Years of Ricardian Trade Theory" conference and book, both of which worked out so well. And I also enjoyed the recent visits to Rochester, Kit (also meeting Dylan). You were so nice and we had this wonderful dinner with the great wine we brought to the restaurant for which the waiter envied us a little bit (I believe). I enjoyed the phone calls with Ron where we discussed about some of his papers, my teaching and research and some developments in trade policy until close to last summer. Ron and I had indeed a joint passion which is international trade--and he was responsible for it.

My deepest condolences to all of you, my warmest regards -- and to Ron: R.I.P. and thank you so much!

Rolf

PS: here is a link to what I wrote on my University of Basel homepage, also with links to earlier news letters, including the one on the 50th birthday of Ron's 1965 JPE paper with pictures sent to me by Brenn: https://wwz.unibas.ch/de/inte….

I first came to Rochester as a graduate student in 2004. I did not work with Ron, but I do remember the wine-and-cheese parties Ron and Kit hosted so graciously for so many years. (As I get older, I get an ever increasing sense of appreciation for the incredible gesture of letting a throng of graduate students take over your home for a day.) One vivid memory I have from those parties is that of Ron and Kit dancing to a Roy Orbison song. I believe it was "You got it,"  and I remember because I was quite impressed with Ron's and Kit's moves -- they got it!

Later I came back to Rochester as a faculty member and interacted with Ron on many occasions. Ron loved to regale everyone with stories of the early days of the Department and his days at MIT. Over the years I heard many of the stories more than once, but I did so gladly. In fact, I would often seek out Ron just so I could hear another anecdote about Samuelson, Stolper, and our own, Lionel McKenzie. The stories inspired. They gave me a sense of history and the Department's role in it -- bigger than anyone had any right to expect from a small department in snowy, upstate New York -- of Ron's pride and unwavering commitment to the Department, of the tradition of excellence he both exemplified and fostered.

Ron cannot be replaced, but the memories and traditions live on. I am forever grateful that our paths crossed and for the privilege of having been Ron's colleague.

Farewell to Ron from Chile

Ronald Jones was the smartest and most knowledgeable person from whom I benefitted the most as a graduate student at Rochester, both as my teacher and Ph.D. advisor. I am extremely grateful. I was lucky to have him as a guest with his wife in México. Unfortunately, the last time I saw him was long ago, at a Conference in Japan in 1997.

Ron Jones's intellectual inheritance will leave forever; his indelible mark in international trade theory will never disappear.

Ron was a warm, affectionate and humble person. He will always be in my heart.

A big hug from Chile.

Rest in peace.

Hugo Mena

What can one say when a man like Ron Jones passes? He had it all. A brilliant economist, a gentleman, a man of humor and culture, a man who knew how to live.  Rest In Peace my old and good friend.

My sincere condolences to his family.