- Date Of Birth: January 18, 1940
- Date Of Death: January 3, 2012
- State: Pennsylvania
Ronald E. Blackburn, 71, a resident of Rose View Center the past ten years, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at The Williamsport Regional Medical Center.
Ron was a graduate of the South Williamsport High School, Class of 1957, where he was an outstanding football and basketball player. He graduated from Bloomsburg University in 1961 with a degree in Secondary Education.
Ron began his teaching and coaching career at Roosevelt Junior High School, but during the first semester, he was in an automobile accident which rendered him a quadriplegic. He then ran a successful campaign for District Magistrate, serving for twelve years, with his mother as his secretary and care-giver. When his parents passed away, Ron became a resident of Rose View Center.
Ron was a self-taught chess player, completing in matches all over the world via the internet. He was also a student of jazz music, Civil War history and thoroughbred horse-racing. During the fifty years he was a quadriplegic, he continued to be a teacher, as he demonstrated how to live a full life under the most challenging of circumstances.
Born January 18, 1940 in Shickshinny, Luzerne County, he was the son of Charles E. and Ina Mae Tanner Blackburn.
Surviving are a brother, Edward D. (Saundra) of Montoursville; nephews, Christopher (Karen) Blackburn, Tracy McEwen, Martin (Beth) Myers; niece Tammy McEwen; great nephew, Scott Blackburn; great nieces, Danielle Blackburn and Talia McEwen and many loving extended family and friends.
