TRIBUTES poured in last night for an oil industry stalwart and former Bahrain resident Donald Hepburn, who died last week in the US.
He was 98.
Former Bapco vice-president, Mr Hepburn was known for developing Bahrain’s oil sector.
Fondly remembered by friends and colleagues for his humane traits and a great sense of humour, Mr Hepburn began his 40-year career in 1956 as an engineer at Bapco.
In 1977 he served as the refinery general manager and two years later became the vice-president.
In 1981, he was appointed chief executive of the new CALTEX-Bahrain Government refinery joint venture, a position he held until his retirement in 1996.
“Bapco expresses its deep regrets and sorrow at the sad demise of Mr Hepburn,” said a statement from Bapco.
“He was a man of great enthusiasm who largely contributed to developing the oil sector of the kingdom during the past century.”
Mr Hepburn’s daughter announced his death on his Facebook page, describing him as a “wonderful and beloved father”.
“He was the light of our lives and an inspiration to us all,” she said, adding that he “passed peacefully” while holding hands of his wife, Roma, with children and grandchildren by his side.
“He lived life to the fullest, he was fierce and compassionate and embraced every challenge with dignity and grace.
“We will miss you, Dad, and there’s now a great void that will never be filled.
“We will celebrate your life and honour your memory,” she added.
During his time in Bahrain, Mr Hepburn was board chairman of the American K-12 International School, Rotary Club of Salmaniya ex-president, member of the of US Embassy Advisory Committee, Reformed Church of Bahrain Deacon, Bahrain Bible Society leader, Bahrain Society of Engineers fellow and life member and member of the Toastmasters, Hockey, Golf and Softball clubs.
“He was a great person and we youngsters at that time could learn much from him,” said fellow Rotarian and Shura Council member Khalid Almoayed.
“He was a great speaker and a personal friend of mine; indeed, a big loss.”
Mr Hepburn, who was also a former chairman of the American Mission Hospital, he was tasked with reassessing the viability of the hospital in the late 70s.
“Don was supposed to restructure its finances and recommend its closure, if needed,” recollected AMH chief executive Dr George Cheriyan.
“He advised the late Amir HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa that AMH had to be saved as a treasure in the history of the country and the region.
“Don was happy to see a resurgent and vibrant AMH when he was in attendance in New York in 2018 when AMH was awarded for leadership for its 120 years of service in Bahrain.
“He was an integral part of the history of AMH and will be sorely missed.”
Bahrain’s envoy to the US Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa took to Twitter to offer condolences on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad.
“It is with deepest sympathies that I relay the condolences of His Majesty King Hamad on the passing of Donald Hepburn, a great leader of industry and pioneer in US-Arab relations and pillar of the American Bahrain Friendship Society” he tweeted.
The founding member of the Mission to Seafarers Bahrain, Mr Hepburn was always a great support to the Bahrain International Seafarers Society, remembered chairman Ali Al Ghawas.
“He used to regularly contact me to find out how we were doing and help, like in donations which continues to this day from Bapco.”
Post retirement, Mr Hepburn prepared a plan for the long-term development of the industrial sector of Bahrain’s national economy to lessen the dependence of the national economy on the oil and gas industry and to create more productive private sector jobs for young unemployed Bahrainis.
He was also awarded the Order of Bahrain medal by the late Shaikh Isa, the Distinguished Service Award by the US Embassy and the Desert Storm Medal for support of US forces during the Gulf War.
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