After serving in the Navy from 1961 to 1965, Ron was a 2nd Class Petty Officer when discharged. He joined the VFW in 2012 and has served as Adjutant, Junior Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander, and currently serves as Post Commander. He is an active Honor Guard member in local parades, and performs in dozens of Funeral Honors each year. He chairs the Planning Committee and oversees the current construction project of finishing the pavilion and grounds of Veterans Memorial Park in Gaylord on Old 27 just north of McCoy Road.

He has been married over 40 years, has 4 grown children, 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild! He moved full-time to Gaylord in 2011 after retiring from Ford Motor Company downstate.