Ronald S. Smith, 83, of 1542 W. Cardinal Drive, Woolrich, Pa., passed away July 19, 2012, at his residence. He was born in Lock Haven, Pa., Dec. 29, 1928, to the late Thurston H. and Dorothy B. Brownlee Smith. Ron was united in marriage Aug. 22, 1953, with the late Frances Ann Kyler who preceded him in death March 9, 2012.
Mr. Smith graduated from Lock Haven High School in 1946 and Penn State University in 1950. He furthered his education at the Institute for Management at Northwestern University. Ron began his career as a chemist with New York and Pennsylvania Company, followed by positions with Kopper and Ho-Par before joining Nease Chemicals as plant manager over Lock Haven, Pa. and Salem, Ohio operations in 1960. Ron joined Borg Warner Chemicals during 1962 where he held senior level management positions spanning 27 years in both the U.S. and Europe including plant manager over operations in Scotland, Netherlands and Parkersburg, W.Va., director of operations and engineering Europe and Operations Planning U.S. Ron retired in 1992 as general manager and area executive for General Electric Plastics.
Ron was actively involved in the community. He served as chairman of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, Economic Development Council, Boys Club and United Fund and as a board member for Sheltered Workshop. He was also a guest speaker at Marshall University, Marietta College, West Virginia University at Parkersburg and West Virginia Council for Business and Education.
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Ronald S. Smith
Mr. Smith was affiliated with numerous clubs and organizations including American Society of Plastics Engineers, Parkersburg Rotary Club, Lock Haven LaFayette Lodge No. 199, F&AM, Jaffa Shrine and Clinton County Shrine Club, serving as a past president and board member. He also belonged to the Royal Order of the Jesters, Penn State Nittany Lion and Wrestling Clubs, and Parkersburg and Clinton Country Clubs. Ron's special interests included golfing, officiating wrestling matches in Pennsylvania, West Virgina, and Ohio. He was an enthusiastic Penn State supporter.
Survivors include a son Craig R. (Brenda) Smith of Brentwood, Tenn.; a granddaughter, Sarah Smith, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Lou Gerlach in 1982.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 26, 2012, at 11 a.m. in the Yost-Gedon Funeral Home, 121 W. Main, Lock Haven, Pa. Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park. Family and friends will be received Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Yost-Gedon Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services on Thursday. Masonic services will be held Wednesday evening at 7:45 pm. Memorials will be accepted to the Clinton County SPCA or Penn State Scholarship Fund. Online thoughts and memories can be made at www.yost-gedonfuneralhome.com.
