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Ronnie died in a boating accident at Glendo Reservoir on July 12, 1980. People who remember Ronnie knew him as a very active person with many interests including hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, snowmobiling, mortorcyling, painting, and restoring his 1967 Mustang. He was involved in church groups as well as the East High Band.
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Stephen (Tim) Keyt
To my closest and dearest friend thru grade school; I think of you often and you live on in my heart.Richard Choi
Ronnie was the first of our class we lost. After his death, his parents heard that the East High students were looking to raise money to help build a Student Commons area and they generously contributed to help us. The school district matched whatever the students would raise, and the Bathricks paid the rest. I believe this big effort brought the school together and gave us focus for the 1982-83 school year.
I have great memories of EHS that year, but most of them -- and I'm sure a lot of yours, too -- are related to all the fund raising and activities we did to raise money for building that commons. We never would get enjoy it for ourselves -- the construction was done in the Summer of 1983 following graduation -- but we undertook the project as a legacy for our class, our time at East and the memory of our classmate, Ronnie Bathrick.
When the Commons Area was completed, the school district put up a plaque recognizing the contribution and efforts of the Bathrick Family and the students of East High, and dedicated it to Ronnie. The plaque was put up on a column in The Commons Area. Someone put a tall potted plant in front of that plaque soon after it went up. I'm sure the greenery was nice, but according to some (my mother included) it could of been placed a bit more thoughtfully.
In the years before my mother's death, whenever she had to visit the school, she would move that plant around to another spot so people could see that plaque. Ronnie, you helped bring a school together and give us a sense of purpose, thank you. You are missed. And remembered.
Tonia Kinney (Bell)
While looking through some memorabilia, I found a Valentine's card from Ronnie...from way back in elementary school. Those are where most of my memories are about Ronnie. I recall him slugging my scrawny arm and then flexing his bicep to show me how strong he was! I thought he was mean and tried to avoid him at all costs, but to no avail...he always found me! I recently relayed that story to his sister, Beth, and she responded, "He always liked you, Toni!" I remember the sad day hearing about his death and could not believe it. We seemed so young and invincible...how could one of our own go so early in life? Billy Joel's hit "Only the Good Die Young" was ever so popular that summer Ronnie died; I still think of him every time I hear that song. Missing our Dildine Demon days, Ronnie!