Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 12:00 am
Jan. 25, 1941 - Feb. 24, 2008
Ronald Wayne Kitterman died Feb. 24 after a gallant, two-year battle with esophageal cancer. He was born in Eugene on Jan. 25, 1941, the oldest child of Melvin Walter and Mildred Ardella Thorn Kitterman. His parents moved to Philomath shortly after he was born, and it was there he spent his childhood.
Ron attended Philomath Elementary and graduated Philomath High School in 1959. He joined the U. S. Navy in the fall of 1959 and proudly served for 22 ½ years. He served on the aircraft carriers USS Midway, USS Ticonderoga, the re-supply ship USNS Furman and ashore at Sandia Base, Albuquerque, N.M., North Island Air Base, San Diego, Calif., and Bangor Submarine Base, Silverdale, Wash.
In September 1961, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Ellen Dingus. She was his anchor throughout his naval career and was the greatest support in raising their family while he was deployed at sea. After losing his hearing in 1982, he retired from the military and brought his family back to Corvallis.
After returning to Corvallis, Ron graduated from LBCC in 1986 and from OSU in 1990. He briefly worked for the US Forest Service in Corvallis and in Elko, Nev. Missing Oregon, Ron and Ellen moved back to Oregon to be closer to family.
During his life, Ron enjoyed fishing, traveling and camping in his fifth wheel trailer. He loved his family and the times he spent with his children and grandchildren. He loved attending the many sports activities they participated in, yes, even the hours and hours of bleacher sitting at wrestling tournaments.
Ron is survived by his wife of 46 years, Ellen; daughter Karen and Jeff Callis of Corvallis; sons, Jeff and Sharon of Douglas Wyo., John and Debbie of Olympia, Wash., Jim and Christi of Salem; brother, Larry and Pat of Wyomissing, Pa.; and sister Linda and Jack Standeven of Corvallis. He had 10 wonderful grandchildren: Jared, Joe, Brooke and Jake Callis, Olivia Kitterman, Jesse and Brandi Kitterman, Becky, Jed and Hannah Kitterman.
Ron was a long-time attendee and member of the Corvallis Evangelical Church. He was also a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, the Navy Nuclear Weapons Association, the National Association of the Deaf and the Good Sam Club.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Ron's name can be made to the Gospel Ministries for the Deaf in care of McHenry's Funeral Home at 206 N.W. Fifth St. Corvallis, OR 97330.
Arrangements are being handled by McHenry's Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, at McHenry Funeral Home followed by a brief military graveside service at 2 p.m. at Mount Union Cemetery in Philomath. A memorial service will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Corvallis Evangelical Church, 1525 N.W. Kings Blvd.