Ron died on the U.S. Bicentennial, July 4, 1976. Together, we had built a small high-performance aerobatic biplane called a Pitts Special. We completed it in 1970, and flew it to Airshows and Aerobatic Contests around the country. Aerobatic competitions became one of our joint hobbies. On the Bicentennial weekend, in 1976, we flew to Council Bluffs Iowa to compete in a regional aerobatic contest. Friday was practice day with competition on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday morning Ron chose to borrow another more capable airplane from a mutual friend, rather than use ours. Shortly after takeoff, the engine failed. Ron tried to stretch the glide to a nearby corn field, but the airplane stalled and crashed. He was survived by his parents, wife Sarah, and two small children. We were in about every class together through grade school and high school. I have many fond memories of Ron, and he will always be missed. --- Larry Denning
Ron and I were good friends in JH and HS and I enjoyed being around him. Ron, Larry and I were the local Kingston Trio of sorts. Ron was bright and funny. We were both councilors at Camp Osceola when we were 17. Larry and I went to MU and Ron went to KU. I lost track of him, unfortunately. I was very saddened by his loss. I think about him often and miss his dry, acerbic wit. He was very shy, especially around the girls, and so he had to drive a Red Impala convertible while I had to borrow my dad's car. It was all OK because he got as many, ( or as few ), dates as did I and so we had fun. No one should die at age 32. I miss him.
Larry Denning
Ron died on the U.S. Bicentennial, July 4, 1976. Together, we had built a small high-performance aerobatic biplane called a Pitts Special. We completed it in 1970, and flew it to Airshows and Aerobatic Contests around the country. Aerobatic competitions became one of our joint hobbies. On the Bicentennial weekend, in 1976, we flew to Council Bluffs Iowa to compete in a regional aerobatic contest. Friday was practice day with competition on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday morning Ron chose to borrow another more capable airplane from a mutual friend, rather than use ours. Shortly after takeoff, the engine failed. Ron tried to stretch the glide to a nearby corn field, but the airplane stalled and crashed. He was survived by his parents, wife Sarah, and two small children. We were in about every class together through grade school and high school. I have many fond memories of Ron, and he will always be missed. --- Larry Denning
Welby Cox (Cox)
Ron and I were good friends in JH and HS and I enjoyed being around him. Ron, Larry and I were the local Kingston Trio of sorts. Ron was bright and funny. We were both councilors at Camp Osceola when we were 17. Larry and I went to MU and Ron went to KU. I lost track of him, unfortunately. I was very saddened by his loss. I think about him often and miss his dry, acerbic wit. He was very shy, especially around the girls, and so he had to drive a Red Impala convertible while I had to borrow my dad's car. It was all OK because he got as many, ( or as few ), dates as did I and so we had fun. No one should die at age 32. I miss him.