Ronald D. Crozier, 71, international mining expert

Ronald D. Crozier of Daisy Lane, an internationally known expert in mining and chemical engineering, died Saturday, Aug. 18, at his home. He was 71 years old and the husband of Sabina Crozier.
Dr. Crozier was born on Sept. 9, 1929, in Antofagasta, Chile. His parents were British and he grew up in Chile and Ireland. He came to the United States to study at the University of Michigan where he received bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering.
He worked for many years for Dow Chemical Company where he developed a widely used acrylic fiber and later worked in the company’s business development in Europe.
Dr. Crozier, whose father had been in the mining industry, joined SQM, the nitrate company of Chile, as chief operating officer. He later became chief executive officer of Minerec Corporation, a mining company headquartered in New York City.
In 1979 he bought a home here but spent a great deal of time on assignments around the world. In recent years, he had been a consultant on process design, the economics of mining, and worked on assignments in such far-flung locations as France, Israel, South Africa, Bolivia, and Canada.
A prolific author, he had written more than 90 articles on mining for various publications in both English and Spanish, and had just completed a paper he had planned to deliver at a conference in Chile. Much of his recent writing dealt with the history of mining, one of his interests.
In 1992, Dr. Crozier wrote Flotation: Theory, Reagents and Ore Testing, published by Pergamon Press.
“His research, patents and writings are his legacy to his colleagues throughout the world,” his wife Sabina Crozier said. “He will be remembered for his vast store of knowledge, intellectual curiosity, kindness and love.”
Mrs. Crozier added that her husband was well known for mentoring others. “He was really remembered for the impact he left on a lot of people. He enjoyed teaching and offering advice.”
His survivors include a son, Ralph Crozier of Southbury; three daughters, Vanessa Wigand of Richmond, Va., Susan Albert of Walkill, N.Y., and Janette Clark of Montgomery, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren.
Services were private.