Robert Roper (1876-1937)
1937 Obituary [1]
ROBERT ROPER was resident engineer of the South Wales Electrical Power Company, Ltd., Pontypridd, for more than twenty-five years. He was born at Henley on Thames in 1876, and after a year's preliminary training with Messrs. Foster, Brown and Rees, of Cardiff, he commenced in 1891 a four years' apprenticeship with the Wallsend Pontoon and Slipway Company, of Wallsend.
He then went to sea for seven years and was promoted to the position of chief engineer. During 1903-4 he was engaged by Messrs. Willans and Robinson, of Rugby, to supervise the erection of the engines, boilers, and works buildings at the power station at Upper Boat, Pontypridd, with which he was connected for the remainder of his life. The plant comprised twenty boilers, for superheated steam, supplying triple-expansion engines and turbines with an output of 15,500 kW.
He joined the South Wales Electrical Power Company as mechanical engineer in 1904, and six years later became resident engineer. Later he was appointed chairman of the South Wales and Monmouthshire National Joint Board (Electricity Supply). In recent years he devoted much time to municipal and social work.
Mr. Roper, who had been a Member of the Institution since 1922, died at his residence at Upper Boat, Pontypridd, on 16th April 1937.