Ron Smith, President of Champion International Moving in Pennsylvania, passed away suddenly on 27 September, 2021, aged just 67.

After completing his undergraduate degree at Slippery Rock University, Ron started his career at Ocean Air International and continued in the international moving business for 46 years. In 1991, Ron led a group that became Champion International Moving, serving as president and CEO. Ron’s passion for business flourished with his innovative thinking and vast knowledge of the moving industry.

He was a true entrepreneur and a larger-than-life figure in the international moving industry. Ron was a respected member of many international moving organisations. He travelled throughout the globe building relationships with everyone in the industry, including competitors, and took great pride in those friendships.

Ron was not a president who sat in his office, he was involved with everyone daily. Ron’s enthusiasm for the moving industry was contagious, his presence was felt by all. Ron was a teacher, mentor and resource to everyone at Champion and to others within the industry.

“Ron had a unique way of treating everyone he met as if they were the only people in the room with him,” said his friend and colleague Bill Fogarty, Executive Vice President at Champion. “He was passionate about building relationships with everyone he met.  This is why so many people around the world are mourning his passing.  They all had a special story of how they knew and loved Ron.  I worked with Ron for 36 years.  Ron was the most influential person in my life.  I am the person I am because of my relationship with Ron Smith, both professionally and personally.  Ron will be missed dearly by everyone who knew him.”

Indeed he will.  It’s clear that Ron made many friends in the industry. Gordon Bell from Asian Tigers said he was: “A great guy, great mentor, great sharer of information and just a wonderful guy to talk to about the industry in general, always had a kind word for everyone.”

Jeff Wangler, from Aires, also expressed his sadness at Ron’s passing and said that they used to meet for lunch regularly when they would chat about the industry and the people in it. “Then it would come around to how well our two companies were working together and he really was great at what he did.  He was funny, really smart and everyone who knows him knows that he knew the international forwarding industry better than anyone.  He created a great company and the staff there reflect Ron’s genuine kindness, concern and care for others and their ability to provide honest and really good service.  Ron and I would talk for a long time at our lunches, and it was usually on a Friday.  That smile I had after seeing him would last all weekend.  He was that kind of guy, and will be missed by all.” 

Peter Carter, one of the founders of Sterling in the UK, also had fond memories of Ron. “I always thought Ron was simply indestructible, and would outlive me, so I was devastated by the news of his death. He filled a room with his personality, and the world will be a lesser place without him. He sadly died just months from retirement and so never got to enjoy what he had achieved, with his family, whom he loved so much. If the measure of a person is by the impact that they have on others, then Ron was a shining example. He was a true friend to me over the last 33 years, and we stayed in touch right up to the end … I will miss him badly.”  Peter also offered his condolences to Ron’s wife, Carol, and his daughter Brenda, adding that he was sorry that COVID restrictions prevented him from attending the funeral in Pittsburgh.

Ron is yet another example of one of the moving industry’s endearing and enduring characters. Though he has gone, his legacy will live on.

Photo:  Ron Smith