Ronald H. Oberlander, age 68, of Waterford, died suddenly in an automobile accident on Sunday, November 11, 2012. While he was courageously fighting cancer for the past 11 months, his untimely death has left his family in mourning.
Born at Fort Bragg, NC on July 13, 1944, he is the son of Mildred C. Stewart Oberlander of Summit Township, and the late Henry M. Oberlander. He has been married to Karen A. Ruden Oberlander for 45 years, and she survives.
Ron served in Vietnam with the United States Marines from 1966-67, receiving a Purple Heart from combat action. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Operating Engineers for 10 years before joining his father’s gas and water well drilling business. After retiring in 2000, Ron was active in developing two Waterford businesses with his sons, First Machine and SwissAero, and also many real estate projects around the local community.
Ron enjoyed life and was known for his many interests, none of which topped his love and commitment to his wife, sons, and grandchildren. His favorite times were spent with his wife and sons, and keeping up with the grandkids’ activities. In his free time, he enjoyed flying his vintage airplanes, including two memorable cross-country trips from California to Pennsylvania, and classic cars and drag racing.
In addition to his wife, Karen, whom he married September 23, 1967, he is survived by three sons– Michael L. Oberlander and his wife Barb, Robert S. Oberlander and his wife Melissa, all of Waterford, and Ronald J. Oberlander and his wife Katie, of Tulsa, OK; six grandchildren with the 7th expected– Amory, Jordan, Courtney, Ryan, Kaitlin, and Alex; one great-granddaughter, Kyla; his mother, Mildred C. Oberlander; a sister, Kathy Simonette and her companion Roger of Meadville; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Ruden of Waterford; and his buddy who was always by his side, his dog Chumley.
Visiting hours will be at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford, on Wednesday from 1:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. with the funeral service there Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will be at Waterford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 130 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16501, or kanziuscancerresearch.org.
I was in the Marine Corps with Ron and I am saddened to have yet another friend, and fellow Marine slip away. Ron and I had plenty of good times in the Corps and I wished I would have visited him as we talked about. I will always remember the big smile he always had. We use to get in trouble in boot camp as our DI always thought we were smiling or as he said having a good time. Our Di’s were always wanting to wipe our smile off our face. We just had natural smiles and we had to look tough. Karen I never met you but have seen your picture over the years in Xmas cards and I know you will miss him greatly as we both know he was a wonderful person. Please except my condolence and God bless. Ron’s friend always and forever, Ron Meade USMC
PS SEMPER FI
My sincere condolences to the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Jim Wade
Dear Mike, Barb, Bobbie and Melissa.
I would like to extend my sincere condolences from our family to yours. Your father was an inspiration to all of us. Waterford would not be where it is today without the leadership of men like your father. Ron was part of Waterfords foundation. He will be truly missed. I know that you guys will continue his legacy. The Oberlander name will not be forgotten.
Not enough words can express how sorry we all are to hear of the loss of Ron. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
The Vascovich Family would like to offer our most sincere condolences to your family.
The following prayer is fitting for Ron because of his love for flight.
It’s called the pilots prayer.
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds —and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of —wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious burning blue, I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod The high untresspassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
My condolences,
Mark Vascovich & Family
Our heart aches for you all. Please know that you are in our prayers each day as you face the journey ahead. There are no words to explain or justify how anyone feels at this time. Realize that your strength, love, togetherness, and example as a family will always be the way Ron will be remembered. You all have his smile, his heart, his giving ways, and the spirit of his memory to help you in the moments, hours, days, weeks, months, and years ahead. God’s peace to all of you knowing that our God is a merciful God. Despite your loss, many of us are better people because of the grace of knowing not just Ron, but all of you.
Tom and Pam (Mr. and Mrs. Mc)
Dear Karen and family, so very sorry to hear of your lose. May you find comfort in your fond memories of your years together. May the love of God hold you all together and see you through this time.
sincerely
Nancy(Coon)Elder-Staaf
Summerfield, FL
Although it’s been years since I saw his smiling face, I have memories of his great attitude and love of life. He would come into the Gingham Garage and joke with me, or ask us to come look to buy items from him. It was always a pleasure doing that type of business with him. His passion for antiques and collectibles was a mutual passion for us.
He will be sorely missed by all that knew him. Our tears and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time. It is always those of us left behind that suffer. He will not anymore. God bless.
To Karen and the Oberlander family
We are very sorry to hear about the loss of Ron. He was our landlord since 2009. He was always on the move all over Waterford it seemed. However he always took the time to say hello or honk the horn in the summer while driving his classic cars. He always seemed to talk to Ed my father in law the most out of all of us in the house. Ron knew how he wanted things to be but he also knew how to be a good conversationalist as well. Our family is shocked by his untimely death. may God bless ur family in this difficult time.
Dan King and family, Ed Brown and family.
My heart is aching…..my thoughts and prayers are with all of Ronnie’s family.