A 50th class reunion is a very special occasion. A time to look back and see how much we and our friends have accomplished after leaving high school so many years ago… A time to renew old acquaintances, seeing people who touched our lives in so many ways, as we grew up through grammar school and/or high school. It is with great regret that my brother Ronald Muckelberg cannot be with you tonight to see his friends who meant so very much to him. After leaving Pascack Valley High School, Ronnie was accepted to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He studied Commercial Art. The courses were very rigorous. He was only able to stay in college from September to January. This was because he had developed Hodgkin’s disease while he was a freshman in high school. My parents knew for four years that his illness would progress to the point of eventually taking his life. He died August 10, 1960. During his years in high school Ronnie was inspired by Donald Wyckoff. He just always seemed to draw out the best in his art students, leading them into careers that best suited their talents. Ronnie loved to draw, paint, and do very detailed pen and ink drawings. Even while in the hospital for one of his many stays, he drew cartoon-like depictions of some of his experiences. My brother had the usual guy interests when growing up. I remember the presence of lots of pets, such as frogs, turtles, chameleons, and a pet squirrel, which was named squeaky. He also was very musical and played the accordion. One of the most treasured memories we had as a family was a cottage which my Dad built in Vermont. We went there often over the years having lots of fun! My brother loved to fish in the summer and hunt in the fall. We also had a Sunfish sailboat, which we used on the lake. One sunny day my Dad left our porch door open and our pet parakeet flew out into the woods. Ronnie kept calling his name and found him in a tree several hundred feet from the house. He brought his cage over where he was and our bird flew down to him. What luck to recapture him in the middle of the woods. So many great memories! I always looked up to my older brother and wondered what paths his life would have taken. I guess one might say that I was influenced by his life and by Don Wyckoff because I became an art teacher and even taught at Pascack Valley High School after college. I have appreciated the opportunity to share some special things about Ronnie! Have a wonderful reunion.
Most Sincerely Yours, Ronnie’s sister, Brenda Muckelberg Stern
Astrid (Arti) Madsen (Baruth)
Submitted by Brenda Muckelberg Stern:A 50th class reunion is a very special occasion. A time to look back and see how much we and our friends have accomplished after leaving high school so many years ago… A time to renew old acquaintances, seeing people who touched our lives in so many ways, as we grew up through grammar school and/or high school.
It is with great regret that my brother Ronald Muckelberg cannot be with you tonight to see his friends who meant so very much to him. After leaving Pascack Valley High School, Ronnie was accepted to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He studied Commercial Art. The courses were very rigorous. He was only able to stay in college from September to January. This was because he had developed Hodgkin’s disease while he was a freshman in high school. My parents knew for four years that his illness would progress to the point of eventually taking his life. He died August 10, 1960.
During his years in high school Ronnie was inspired by Donald Wyckoff. He just always seemed to draw out the best in his art students, leading them into careers that best suited their talents. Ronnie loved to draw, paint, and do very detailed pen and ink drawings. Even while in the hospital for one of his many stays, he drew cartoon-like depictions of some of his experiences.
My brother had the usual guy interests when growing up. I remember the presence of lots of pets, such as frogs, turtles, chameleons, and a pet squirrel, which was named squeaky. He also was very musical and played the accordion.
One of the most treasured memories we had as a family was a cottage which my Dad built in Vermont. We went there often over the years having lots of fun! My brother loved to fish in the summer and hunt in the fall. We also had a Sunfish sailboat, which we used on the lake. One sunny day my Dad left our porch door open and our pet parakeet flew out into the woods. Ronnie kept calling his name and found him in a tree several hundred feet from the house. He brought his cage over where he was and our bird flew down to him. What luck to recapture him in the middle of the woods. So many great memories!
I always looked up to my older brother and wondered what paths his life would have taken. I guess one might say that I was influenced by his life and by Don Wyckoff because I became an art teacher and even taught at Pascack Valley High School after college.
I have appreciated the opportunity to share some special things about Ronnie! Have a wonderful reunion.
Most Sincerely Yours,
Ronnie’s sister,
Brenda Muckelberg Stern