Ross Lane, from Lane’s Chemist in Kempsey, dies suddenly in Newcastle

The sudden death of a much-loved and hugely respected pharmacist, musician and charity worker has sent shockwaves through a Mid-North Coast town, where everyone knew him and his smile.

Ross Lane at the family chemist in Kempsey and on his 80th birthday.

The sudden death of a much-loved and hugely respected pharmacist, musician and charity worker has sent shockwaves through a Mid-North Coast town.

Described as a “Kempsey icon”, Ross Lane died suddenly shortly after Christmas Day lunch with his extended family in Newcastle.

He celebrated his 80th birthday in August, surrounded by family who all remember him as a scholar, a gentleman and a kind, inquisitive man - always with a smile.

His eldest daughter, Kristy Lane, said her father’s death had been referred to a NSW coroner after being classified as a sudden and unexpected death at home.

“We had Christmas lunch at my mum’s all together, and he went home about 3,” she said.

Ross Lane (back centre) died suddenly after Christmas Day lunch. Eldest daughter Kristy Lane is seated at the right.

“He then called us saying he’s had a fall and my sister went over and they helped him up.

“He was a bit flustered but then just had a turn and died.

“We think (it was) a likely heart attack.”

A wonderful man

Tributes on local Facebook pages, including “Blast from Kempsey’s Past”, speak volumes about the huge amount of respect and admiration people had for him.

“I doubt there is anyone who knew this wonderful man who could not hold anything but admiration for him,” Dot Ware wrote.

Others described him as a Kempsey icon.

Ross Lane celebrating his 80th birthday.

Susie Williams’ uncle worked in the book shop at the rear of the chemist.

“Lots of fond memories of Lanes chemist - it seemed they all had time for their customers and a smile on all their faces,” she wrote.

“Another Kempsey legend has left us,” Robyn Harvey posted.

“I think anyone from Kempsey knew Ross,” Judy Paterson wrote.

Believed in the power of knowledge

Ross Lane was born in Kempsey to parents Colin and Grace Lane.

He went to Kempsey East Public School and The Armidale School before completing a science degree at Armidale University.

His academic journey continued with a master’s in physiology, which included two research trips to Macquarie Island in 1968 and 1970.

Ross Lane and Colin Lane outside their store in 1981.

Mr Lane separated from his wife, Kay, but they remained close and, in his later years, the extended family all ended up in the Newcastle area.

“Ross believed firmly in the power of knowledge and its ability to shape the present, and he leaves behind a legacy of curiosity, kindness, and a deep love of history,” Kay said.

In 1974, he completed his pharmacy degree at Sydney University and returned to Kempsey to join his father at Lane’s Chemist, ensuring the family profession entered a third generation.

The shop, located on Belgrave St, had been in the Lane family since 1901, when Ross’s grandfather, Charles Lane, first hung his sign there.

Ros Lane at Lane’s Chemist in Kempsey.

In 1938, the business passed to Colin, who, alongside his wife Grace, expanded it into a multifaceted enterprise that included optometry, photography and a lending library.

Ross’s love of books led him to open a separate bookshop in Clyde St in 1984.

Ross and Kay had four children: Kristy, Beth, Anna, and Zeita.

A lover of music, Ross also supported Kay in her work with The Macleay Choral Society, playing as an enthusiastic amateur trombonist in The Macleay Marching Band.

A ‘fancy trombone’ and a flair for jazz

In a Facebook tribute, David Duyker remembers listening “in awe” whenever Ross played his “fancy trombone” attacking the music with gusto with a particular flair for jazz.

In 1988, Ross sold the family business and moved with his family to Newcastle, where he worked in various hospitals and pharmacies focusing on mental health.

Later, he moved to far north Queensland, where he served as chief pharmacist at Bowen Hospital.

Ross eventually returned to Crescent Head, where he worked in the local pharmacy.

The Lane family were early pioneers in the Kempsey area. Pictured here is Edwin Lane with son Henry Ivy Lane born in 1885. He later became the first school teacher in Macksville.

When he retired to Newcastle, he volunteered for the Books for the Outback initiative, delivering donated books to schools and libraries across rural NSW.

Passionate about history, Ross contributed to the Macleay River Historical Society and was an active member of the Kempsey Macleay Speleological Club, exploring caves in the upper Macleay.

After the sale of the family business in the late 1980s, several buildings, including the pharmacy, were demolished to make way for the Kempsey Mall.

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