Ronald "Ron" Nelson Hughmanick

Ronald “Ron” Nelson Hughmanick, age 90, of Mechanicsburg, PA, formerly of Camp Hill, PA, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at Messiah Lifeways. Ron was born March 20, 1933 in Butler, PA, to Andrew Carnegie Hughmanick and Martha Inez (Heckendorn) Hughmanick.  Ron was the widower of Gloria Ann (Harvey) Hughmanick, whom he married in July 1957, who died on November 23, 2001.

Ron's survivors include his three children: David “Dave” Nelson Hughmanick and his wife, Beth, of Prince Frederick, MD; Lisa Dianne “Dee” (Hughmanick) Alderman and her husband, James, of Mechanicsburg, PA; Donald “Don” Harvey Hughmanick and his wife, Sue, of Sinking Springs, PA; his six grandchildren: Christalena Hughmanick, Angessa Williams and her husband, Brandon, Lindsay Alderman, Mary Shafer and her husband, Jon, Andrew Hughmanick, Richard Hughmanick; and his three great grandchildren: Leo Shafer, Evelyn Shafer and Wyatt Clark Williams. 

Ron was a highway engineer for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Battalion Commander of the 365^th Engineer Battalion USAR, with headquarters in Schuylhill Haven and component companies in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, West Hazelton and Reading, PA.

Colonel Hughmanick graduated from the Army’s Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He completed the required military education courses at the U.S. Army Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir.  He is a graduate of Punxsutawney High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1954. After graduating from college, Ron served in the US Army Corp of Engineers for two years overseas in Germany.  He also earned a Master’s Degree in Governmental Administration from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania.  Ron remained active in the U.S. Army Reserves until retiring in 1986 as a full Colonel and retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation the same year.

He was a devoted family man enjoying summers at Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos, fishing and boating.  On many occasions, Ron would drive the family across the country to see Gloria’s family in Washington State. While traveling, the children had the pleasure of seeing most of the continental United States from the back of the station wagon.

His children had the opportunity to observe and learn from their dad's many talents and his amazing resourcefulness. Since he was an engineer, with a methodical mind, he could figure out how to repair or build almost anything. Through the process, he taught his children many skills, such as roofing the house, digging sewer lines, building a pool and rebuilding car motors to name a few.  

Ron and Gloria were avid travelers. They visited China, Egypt, Guatemala and Yugoslavia numerous times. They met in Germany in 1956. In the early 90’s they took the opportunity to travel back to Germany and throughout Europe. They also loved cruising to Alaska and Bermuda.

Ron will be dearly missed by those who were fortunate enough to have known him.

All are welcome to join Ron’s family at gathering of family and friends on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 10:15 a.m. at Buhrig Funeral & Cremation, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Pastor Alan Echard officiating.  Ron’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Buhrig’s Gathering Place (next to the funeral home) immediately following the service. Interment will follow the reception in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, where military honors will be presented. 

Ron’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Ron’s full obituary, view his photograph, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.