Ronald Eugene Adams

Ron was born on October 26, 1955 to Katherine Margaret (Kile) Adams and Elmer Newton Adams in Mechanicsburg, PA. He is survived by his children, Kelsey Bennett (Jacob) and Logan (Samantha Arevalo), siblings Nancy Oxley and David (Anita Francis) and several nieces and nephews.

He was a lifelong Mechanicsburg resident, graduating from Mechanicsburg High School in 1973. He was involved in the marching band, playing the clarinet and was the manager of the track and field team. He then went to Shippensburg College, where he was well known for his partying antics perhaps at the expense of his grades sometimes, but did manage to graduate with a degree in Biology after 4.5 years.

He had a long and successful career (36 years) working for the Borough of Mechanicsburg at the wastewater treatment plant. As the plant superintendent, his proudest achievement was instituting the joint composting facility for Mechanicsburg Borough and Silver Spring Township.

He was an environmentalist and an active member in the professional water quality community. He held many positions within Central Pennsylvania Water Quality Association including the President and Award Committee chair for a decade. Additionally, he was a member of the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association, and received the Ted Moses High Hat Award and the Biosolids Beneficial Use Award for his work on the compositing facility.

In his younger years, he loved to fish, hunt, and garden. He enjoyed spending time at his hunting camp in Potter County, where he was often more successful at drinking than hunting. He stayed active chopping wood and cutting down trees for many friends and acquaintances. He was the pitcher for the Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker’s softball team and where he awarded himself the SAP Young award several years in a row. He was very involved with Ducks Unlimited and served as the chairman. He was a member of the Citizens Fire company. He was passionate about blood donation and donated over 10 gallons of blood in his lifetime.

He eventually got into golfing after resisting for many years, claiming he “wasn’t going to spend 4 hours on a Saturday at the golf course.” He enjoyed watching sports and was a fan of the New York Yankees and Penn State. He spent many Sunday’s cheering for the Baltimore Ravens after convincing one of his best friends to buy season tickets, so he could tag along. He enjoyed video games and spent most mornings devoting an hour or so to Star Wars Battlefront.

Ron was a loving father to his two children, Kelsey and Logan and embraced their significant others, Jacob and Samantha, as his own. He was very involved in his children’s lives, serving as a cub scouts den leader for Logan, and managing the Cumberland Valley Marching Band Fry Wagon, when Logan joined the band. He served as a head coach of Kelsey’s softball league, eventually winning it all their final year.

Ron was known most of all for being a friend to everyone. He was a people person and could/would talk to anyone. He loved to socialize and spent many hours at the Mechanicsburg Club, where he was a lifetime member and the Elks of Mechanicsburg always with a Tito’s with a splash of cranberry in hand. He naturally took charge and organized many gatherings and events for his friends and family. He proudly ran everyone’s vacations. He was well known for his 4th of July party and pig roast, which continued to grow year after year and where all were welcome. His home was a popular hangout spot for both his children, their friends and his own friends. He will be greatly missed by many people.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life on what would have been Ron’s 70th birthday on Sunday, October 26th at the Mechanicsburg Club from 2-6 pm. There will be an Elks ceremony from 2:30-2:45 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ducks Unlimited, or if you are able, making a donation to your local blood bank.