Ron Jeffels, who served as president of Okanagan College for six years, has passed away.

Jeffels, who was president of the institution from 1975 to 1980, died Tuesday. He was 87.

Flags are at half-staff at Okanagan College in his memory.

"We are saddened by the news of Ron Jeffels' passing and express our sincere sympathies to his wife Maebrette, daughter Trixie and grandchildren," says current College President, Jim Hamilton.

"Ron played a great role in the history of Okanagan College and will be deeply missed by those who had the pleasure to work alongside him."

Jeffels worked at the University of Victoria before coming to Okanagan College in 1975.

He had a celebrated career in the military, where, in his own words, he was shaped by his military experience.

“You come second as an officer,” says Jeffels. “You don’t count and the men do, so you do everything to ensure that they are clothed, housed, fed, happy, looked after and so on.

"I brought that with me when I came back to civilian life. I looked at running the College as a military operation. I made a point of drifting around the office, greeting the staff early in the morning, seeing how they were, comforting them if necessary.”

When reflecting on his time at Okanagan College, Jeffels recalled the experience fondly.

“I was fairly well known by people in the college system and they attracted me there,” said Jeffels. “I always wanted to be the president of something and in those days the salary was attractive, I liked the Valley and I liked the people. It was the happiest six years of my life.

Details of Jeffels’ memorial service have not yet been finalized.