In Memoriam: Ronald Schram
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of our colleague Ronald Schram. Ronald was 60 years old.
Over a career spanning more than thirty years, Ronald made an important contribution to the development of NRG PALLAS. He was a committed colleague, a sharp thinker and an authoritative expert within the nuclear sector. His work was dedicated to the development of nuclear technology in service of society’s needs in the fields of energy and health.
Ronald joined ECN in September 1994, following his PhD in physical chemistry. He began as a researcher in the field of fuel chemistry and, from 1999 onwards, held various leadership positions within the organisation. Among other roles, he led projects in the area of the fuel cycle and managed several business units. From 2017, he served as Director of Strategic Alliances.
In these roles, Ronald combined deep technical expertise with strategic insight. He understood like no other the connection between infrastructure, knowledge development, product development and the public interest these serve. This broad perspective was of great value to the development of NRG PALLAS and to the decision-making surrounding the Dutch government’s investment in the construction of the PALLAS reactor.
Ronald also played an important role beyond our organisation. Among other positions, he was Chair of the Netherlands Nuclear Society and Kernvisie, a member of the Governing Board of the European nuclear platform SNETP, and was involved in various international forums within the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. There, he contributed, among other things, to policymaking on the reliable supply of medical isotopes.
Within NRG PALLAS, Ronald was a colleague who knew how to connect expertise with people. He helped colleagues move forward, brought stalled projects back into motion and played an important role as a coach. He also contributed to the NRG PALLAS trainee programme, where his experience was of great significance.
Ronald understood the importance of clear communication for the work of NRG PALLAS. Whether the subject was operations in Petten, the need for the PALLAS reactor, medical isotopes or the use of nuclear energy, he engaged in the conversation: fact-based, clear and convincing.
With Ronald’s passing, NRG PALLAS has lost a much-valued colleague. The nuclear sector in the Netherlands has also lost an important authority, someone who was able to translate the legacy of earlier generations of nuclear pioneers into tangible products and services for society.
We owe Ronald a great debt of gratitude. Our thoughts are with his partner, his children, family, friends and colleagues. We extend our deepest sympathies to them as they come to terms with this great loss.
