Ronald Douglas (Ron) Hebberd

HEBBERD, Ronald Douglas (Ron)

On 6th July 2026, peacefully at Marlborough Hospice in his 90th year.

Dearly loved husband of Shirley for 66 years; father and father-in-law to Judith & Tony, Su & Luke, Keiron & Rachel.

Much loved grandfather of Daniel & Renee, the late Kathleen, Matt, Chris, and Laura; cherished great grandfather to Ayvah, Sam, Connor, and Eliza.

Son of the late Doug & Ellen Hebberd and brother and brother in-law of Pixie & Bill Gourley, and the late Maurice & Jennifer & Ivan.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Seddon Lions Club, account number 11-7500-0013715-11, would be appreciated.

All communications may be sent to Hebberd family, PO Box 110, Blenheim7240.

A private cremation has been held at Sowman’s Funerals, and a remembrance service to celebrate Ron’s life will be held at the Yealands Awatere Memorial Hall, Foster Street, Seddon on Friday July 17 at 2.00pm.

This service will be livestreamed and can be viewed below this notice.

Tribute from James Carpenter – 
Sincere sympathy to Shirley and the family.
Another Rai Valley old boy has left us. Ron was part of a fine family, both as a young man and when he joined the Harris clan.

Tribute from Luke P – 
In the later 70s to very early 80’s I was a mad-keen-on-motorbikes teenager who had the good fortune to meet Ron. Despite being of dubious origins and even more dubious prospects Ron would speak with me as an equal, with humour, and with interest in what I was doing. Delightfully, I found he had passed on these attributes to Judith whom I also came to know a little.

Over several years I bought and sold a few bikes and bits with Ron. Never once did I feel poorly done by, and in reciprocation of his decency I even once bought a Yamaha that I’d, embarrassingly, managed to slightly damage in a test ride but didn’t really want. He was understanding of the stupid kid who, part way through a ‘wheelie’, discovered the power-band of an early two-stroke Yamaha and sold me the required new tail-light at a good price. Thanks for that Ron – and for keeping it to yourself since no rumours of this impetuous act ever reached the public ’till now.
These days I occasionally still use a couple of tools that I got from Seddon Service Station and have always remembered the time, and from whom, I bought them.
It is oft-said, but never truer in the case of Ron, he was one of life’s gentlemen.

Tribute from John Gilmore –
Condolences to Shirley and family, In 1971 Ron brought a Mountain Goat and a Yamaha 90 trail to our farm to demo. We took the Goat, which was the first bike I ever rode, my introduction to a life long passion for motorcycling. I have many fond memories of visiting Seddon Service Station to buy bikes, get servicing done or just check out the great bikes of that 70s era and Ron always had time for advice or a yarn most helpful. So I thank you Ron for your help and starting me on the amazing motorcycling journey. RIP.