From secondary schooling at Wesley College in Melbourne, he proceeded to pharmacy (Dr Ph C. 1934) and then to Medicine (M.B., B.S., 1939), a year at the Alfred Hospital and then the army (1941-1946), with the rank of Captain Major and saw service in the New Guinea and Darwin. He was seconded as R.M.O. to the then Eye and Ear Hospital before proceeding to London, Moorfields Hospital and the Institute of Ophthalmology as Tutor-Registrar. Whilst there he gained the first F.R.C.S. in Ophthalmology. Returning to Melbourne his long and illustrious career at the (Royal) Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital began in the clinical field culminating as Emeritus Ophthalmic Surgeon in 1973.

In 1963 he became the second director of the Glaucoma Research Unit at the hospital (1963-1975). This was the first special ophthalmic unit formed at the hospital in 1957 and the first Glaucoma Research Unit in Australia. He was on many committees at the hospital including the Board of Management from 1955-1973. At various times he was Chairman of the Medical Staff, Dean of the Clinical School and was greatly involved with the Orthoptic Clinic and Orthoptic Board of Australia. Most important was the Library Committee resulting in its very significant development to form the "Ronald Lowe Library", a conjoint affair of the R.V.E.E.H. and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Apart from this he did important teaching and research, especially on angle closure glaucoma, resulting in many papers. In 1966 he was awarded the M.D. Much earlier he had received the Gordon Craig Travelling Fellowship from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and was awarded the Shorney prize for research in ophthalmology on two occasions (from Adelaide).

He gained the F.R.A.C.S. in 1947 and was on several committees, including the Court of Examiners of this college (1960-1967). Similarly he was involved with the Ophthalmological Society of Australia, the Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and the Asian Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, becoming an Office Bearer and President of most at various times.

He was particularly interested in Asia Pacific Ophthalmology and led numerous ophthalmic tours in the area. A member of several ophthalmic societies he contributed over 150 papers, books, and contributions to books and pamphlets for patients.

Later in his career he became interested in medical history, especially concerned with the R.V.E.E.H. and some of the founders and of his distinguished predecessors. This resulted again in numerous papers of considerable interest. In 1989 he became a foundation Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (F.R.C.Ophth).

Lowe had a few outside interests including photography and gardening. A particular interest in Liliums led to several papers and at one stage President of the Lilium Society.

Married twice he had one son, and his widow Zena, is also an ophthalmologist. A friendly, stimulating, knowledgeable man who greatly encouraged his juniors; he is greatly missed, and this Medal is a fitting tribute to his memory.