From Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (25 July 2019). Widely regarded as one of the pioneers who placed Cayman Islands diving on the map, Mr Ronald (Ron) L Kipp was a true visionary and his story, like our waters, is one of a kind.

Ron
was first introduced to diving in 1971 and became a certified dive
instructor soon after. His eagerness to explore the waters of the
world led him to the Cayman Islands, where he instantly fell in love
with our impeccable marine environment and would become a repeat
visitor. A successful businessman with IBM, Ron left his position in
1980 and relocated to the Cayman Islands to become the owner of Bob
Soto’s Diving Ltd.

Ron’s
earnest passion for the sport, coupled with his foresight of the
sport’s potential, led him to begin modernizing and expanding his
business while marketing the Cayman Islands as a world-class dive
destination. Ron quickly became one of the largest dive operations in
the Cayman Islands, building a PADI five-star operation and
influencing scuba diving marketing at home and across the Caribbean
region.

A
natural leader, Mr. Kipp sought avenues to sustain the growth of the
sport worldwide. He was an original member of the Dive Equipment
Manufacturers Association (DEMA) Industry Organizing Committee and
was elected to the DEMA Board of Directors, where he served
continuously longer than any other member in the organization’s
history. At home, Ron was instrumental in creating the first local
scuba diving association and would later help to create the Cayman
Islands Tourism Association.

Ron
was a formidable businessman softened with a love for laughter and
had a big heart through his active community and tourism efforts. His
commitment to developing the sport for future generations cannot be
trivialized. Because of his efforts and achievements, Mr. Kipp was
inducted into International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame in 2012. Ron
received one of the nation’s highest recognitions in the Cayman
Islands as a pioneer in Tourism at the 2017 Heroes Day celebrations.

The
Ministry and Department of Tourism join the people across the Cayman
Islands and around the world in mourning the loss and celebrating the
life of one of the great tourism pioneers of our time.

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IMAGES: Supplied