Ron enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1972 and served as a pilot until his honorable discharge in 1980. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 1981 and was activated in 1991 as a C-130 pilot during Operation Desert Storm, serving in Iraq and Kuwait. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1992, he joined the United States Army National Guard in 1996 as a Combat Engineer. In 2004, his unit was activated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and he spent most of 2005 near Baghdad, Iraq. He retired from the Army National Guard on July 31, 2006.
Ron also had an accomplished and wide-ranging aviation career. He served as a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps, where he flew A-4 jets and C-130 aircraft. Following his military aviation service, he continued flying commercially and later worked as an air traffic controller at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and in Wichita, Kansas. Whether in the cockpit or guiding aircraft from the ground, Ron dedicated much of his life to aviation and took great pride in his service and career in the skies.
Ron never met a stranger and was known for his quick wit, warm smile, and unforgettable sense of humor. He loved telling jokes and stories, and many family members and friends can attest to hearing the same jokes more than once—or more than a few times. Yet somehow, Ron always managed to tell them with the same enthusiasm and laughter as if it were the first time. His ability to make others smile was one of his greatest gifts, and his humor will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.
Ron loved fishing, and it was one of the passions that helped bring him to Hume when the family purchased farmland that included numerous strip pits, ponds and lakes. Fishing became a favorite family activity, and many memories were made along its banks. He especially enjoyed fishing for northern pike and walleye, and he also loved ice fishing during his years in North Dakota. Whether in a boat, on the shore, or out on the ice in the winter cold, Ron found peace and happiness on the water. He always wanted to fish as often as he could and never turned down a chance to be outdoors with family and a fishing pole in hand.
Ron stayed close to his roots. Raised on a farm in rural North Dakota, where his family worked as farmers and cattle ranchers, he developed a lifelong love for agriculture and the land. Following his retirement, Ron returned to the life he loved most, farming and raising cattle on his farm near Hume alongside his sons. Whether working cattle, fixing equipment, or spending time outdoors, Ron found great satisfaction in the simple pleasures of farm life and cherished the opportunity to share that way of life with his boys.
Ron especially cherished family gatherings, which often centered around fish fries and good conversation. These times were filled with laughter, stories, jokes, and togetherness that he deeply valued.
Funeral service will be 10 am Monday, June 15, 2026 at the Hume School. Visitation will be 5 to 7 pm Sunday, June 14, at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Rich Hill American Legion Post #67. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
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