Ronald G Gaumer

Our dad, Ronald G. Gaumer, closed his eyes on this world March 21, 2026, enormously pleased to have lived long enough to meet three great grandchildren, and reached his 90th birthday. Ron passed on while in hospice care in Missoula, MT.

Ronald Gary Gaumer was born to Clayton Denman Gaumer and Georgette (Delgouffre) Gaumer in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, on December 27,1935. He was predeceased by his wife, Joan (Chase), sister Margretta (Porter), and brother Denmon.

The years in Mt. Vernon were both idyllic and difficult, and it was here that Ron learned valuable lessons about potential (he often credited his high school English teacher for identifying his); achievement (he became a three-sport letterman) and perseverance.

He and his family moved to Derry, NH after Ron’s high school graduation. Soon after arriving, Ron met his future wife, Joan Chase, by hitting her with a football. She returned the greeting by stabbing Ron’s leg with a fork. From this dubious beginning, and enduring love blossomed.

Ron’s career began with a Marine Corps enlistment; He credited his Marine Corps service with being the most formative experience of his life. It was a special thrill when his children wished him a happy birthday on November 10 (The Marine Corps birthday). His Marine habits remained throughout his life, which included making his bed every morning, punctuality (always early for an appointment, in later years, by a day or two), a distinctive haircut and a scowl which could freeze hot water.

A growing family forced financial reality on Ron, so he left the Marine Corps. Ron started work for the federal government, applying parachute rigging skills learned in the military. Still, the obligations mounted especially when his children were young, he supplemented his regular work with two additional part time jobs. Later, using his knowledge of textiles, he created a small business, re-upholstering furniture evenings and weekends. His work ethic left an indelible impression on his children.

Ron was dedicated to his family. For example, knowing his kids loved to ski (yet knowing the activity was well outside the family budget) he learned to ski (stable, not stylish), took first aid courses, and became a ski patroller to provide lift tickets for the family. In addition, he never missed a practice or game for any of his children, an inconceivable effort.

His midlife crisis appeared early when his doctor told him to quit smoking, lose weight and start walking. This occurred at the beginning of the jogging craze in the early 1970’s. In short order, he quit smoking, began jogging, and lost weight. Not ready to declare victory, he began running 5 K, then 10K races, then marathons. By the time he was fifty, he had run ten marathons in a single year, which kept out training with the boys quite a bit. Once again, my mother was ready to stab him with a fork.

Ron’s career offered an irresistible opportunity in 1979 to apply his skills in textiles for the forest service, in Missoula, MT. He accepted the role, then went home to his wife to make the announcement. In this event he also gave his children another valuable lesson: Big decisions in a marriage should include your spouse.

Our dad took early retirement to spend more time with our chronically ill mother. In his retirement, he and son Don took woodworking classes together, which Ron applied to volunteer work carving carousel ponies for the now nationally recognized Carousel for Missoula.

After our mother’s passing in 2001, Ron traveled a bit, trying a winter in Florida (lasted a few short weeks), skiing with his children and grandchildren, flirting incessantly (lasted throughout his life), and caring for three successive rescue dogs, all of whose names were some derivation of our mother’s monogram (a bit haunting).

He got to see the Red Sox play throughout his adult life, watching the disappointments (67, ’75 and ’86) as well as the triumphs (’04, ’07, ’13, ’18). He watched his basketball hero (Bill Russell) hang banners from ’59 through ’69 missing only 1967. Larry Bird was OK, too.

He loved to watch documentaries, especially those detailing WW II or Korea. He loved any movie with John Wayne; he loved scalloped potatoes and ham and Bologna and cheese, and always, iced tea.

Ron had a way of naming everyone in the family (pets included) before he got to your name, often paired with a deity (…Don, Jen. Cleo…Jesus! Steve!); his spelling was always suspect, though never his meaning. More than once, he took time out to write a meaningful note to one of his family in need of a boost.

He loved and took enormous pride in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His three surviving generations will greatly miss him and forever hold his memory close.

Ron is survived by children Donald G. and Claire (Missoula, MT), Stephen R., and Alyson (Cohasset, MA / Gorham, ME) and Jennifer A. (Watson), Missoula, MT., Grandchildren Andrew Gaumer, Ashley Wineman, Ryan Watson, Sidney Watson, Katie Gaumer, Hilary Gaumer and Grace Gaumer, Robert and Jessica Beyer. His particular joy was welcoming and being Pop-pop to his great grandchildren Quinn, James, and Luke.

Rest well, Dad; Rest well, Marine.