Ronald Wilson

The value of a man is not so much determined by the number of years he lived, but the way in which he lived them. Much was seen through the eyes of Ronald “Red” Glen Wilson throughout his 100 years. Having lived through two World Wars, the Great Depression, numerous recessions, global conflicts, and terrorism, Ron lived with fond memories and accepted life’s hardships along the way. Throughout his changing world, Ron was a valued and educated worker who provided a good and loving life for his family. With a legacy to be treasured by his family, Ron will be fondly missed and forever remembered.

1909 was clearly a time of change in the world. The new decade introduced a culture of forward thinking as enormous confidence was placed in the promise of science and technology. As the U.S. issued the first Lincoln penny, the Wright Brothers paved the way for travel. The first U.S. airplane was sold for commercial use while a new Naval base was being formed off the pristine shores of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The military saw many advancements, especially the formation of the Army Air Corps that year when the military took delivery of the first plane from the Wright Brothers. When it seemed there would be no end to the many possibilities ahead, a most welcome event in the lives of Robert Lincoln and Fern Chastine (Baldwin) Wilson was the birth of their only child, a baby boy they named Ronald Glen on April 30, 1909.

Born in Milton Township, a small community in Northern Michigan, young Ronald was a blessing in the lives of his parents. Before long, Ronald’s family moved to Grand Ledge, Michigan where his father, a dairyman, also worked as a trainman for the railroad. Tragically, Ronald’s father was killed in a railway accident just prior to Ronald’s second birthday. Left to raise her young son alone, Ronald and his mother moved to her hometown of Bridgman in the lower western corner of Michigan. Even though life without a father was often difficult, Ron enjoyed a typical childhood taking in many boyhood adventures. Some of his earliest and happiest memories included days spent with his mother and extended family at their longtime family retreat in Bridgman. Lovingly referred to as “The Shack”, times there enveloped Ron’s memory with fun filled days swimming and evening bonfires under the stars. Sadly, Ron’s mother died around his 16th birthday. Following her death, he went to live with his mother’s sister and her husband, the Chauncey’s.

The onset of the Great Depression brought forth a world of strife and struggle the world over. Even still, Ron thankfully graduated from Bridgman High School and in the fall of 1927, he enrolled at Michigan State College, now known as Michigan State University. His enrollment there automatically placed him in the ROTC program in artillery. Ron was amazed at the perplexing and intricate workings of the gunnery, and very much enjoyed learning and exploring them. He went on to the University of Michigan, having graduated in 1932 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. He held honorary distinction as a member of Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honors fraternity. However, Ron’s life during his university days was not an easy time for him.

It was during his senior year at the U of M when Ron came down with advanced tuberculosis, a widespread lung disorder prevalent during this time. He spent the next twelve months recovering at Pinecrest Sanitarium in Oshtemo, Michigan. After undergoing minor surgery on his lung, Ron went into recovery aided by complete rest, nourishing food and plenty of fresh air. With much time on his hands, Ron spent his days reading and even learned to play bridge. He always said that the highlight of his stay at Pinecrest was receiving his diploma from the U of M without ever having to complete his finals!

Once recovered, Ron took a job with Kelvinator in Detroit, Michigan. Life began to take shape for him until he was injured in an auto accident that reactivated his TB. Returning to Pinecrest for further TB treatment meant a world of change for Ron. While there, he met a pretty young pediatric nurse named Imogene Hilles who swept Ron off his feet. Quite smitten, the feelings were mutual. After his discharge, Ron and Imogene began a dating relationship between Bridgman and Kalamazoo that soon turned into love. They were happily married on October 7, 1938 and spent their honeymoon at The Warm Friend Tavern in Holland, Michigan. He supported his young bride while working at the Gast Manufacturing Corporation in Bridgman.

They began their new life together in Benton Harbor, Michigan when Ron‘s work as a sales manager with Gast Manufacturing found them transferring there, and they went on to enjoy all the Twin Cities had to offer their whole lives through. Before long they were blessed with three children. Alan, Joan and Amy brought them great joy and many memorable times were shared as a family boating from the channel into the waters of Lake Michigan. They loved the area lighthouse, and the beach was always a favorite place for picnics, bonfires, and fun.

One of the most thrilling experiences in Ron’s memory was a particular summer day in 1957. While Ron and his family entertained several family friends and their children at a cottage on Lake Michigan, one of the boys in the group happened to be celebrating his 17th birthday. It turned out to be a joyous occasion for all when they decided to visit the infamous House of David Amusement Park in Benton Harbor. It was truly a night to behold as young and old alike danced the night away on the outdoor pavilion to the sounds of big band and popular music. It was a magical evening surrounded by numerous mansions, lovely gardens, and woodworking structures displaying beautiful works of art. Booths sold souvenirs and art objects while a steam train pulled cars of tourists about the grounds. Ron always recalled this marvelous night with great fondness.

Before long Ron took on greater responsibility as Vice President of Marketing. He remained with Gast Manufacturing until retiring in 1970, and continued on as a board member until 1987. Over the years he was also active with the Methodist Peace Temple, the area Rotary Club, and with the Twin Cities YMCA. In time he and Jean went to live at Freedom Village where he became an active resident. While residing there in 1993, Ron was encouraged to take part in a writing class where he could pen his cherished memoirs. To this day, those very writings are a lasting legacy of the wonderful man that his family knew and loved.

At the age of 100, Ronald Glen Wilson, of Holland, died on Friday, January 15, 2010 at The Inn at Freedom Village. He is survived by his children: Alan Wilson and his wife Diana Dietrich of Rensselaerville, New York, Joan Smith of Grand Haven, Michigan and Amy Klop and her husband, John Klop of Spring Lake, Michigan. Ronald also has ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and his nieces and their husbands, Sandra and Richard Packer, and Mildred and Jack Bartholomew.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at Freedom Village, Holland, Michigan on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 2:00 PM. Memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Holland, 58 W. 10th St., Holland, MI 49423. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery, Bridgman, Michigan. Arrangements by the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Inc. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory or photo, and to sign Ron’s online guest registry.