Ronald Gundy
Ronald R. “Ron” Gundy, 65, a lifelong New Philadelphia Quaker, community servant, business leader, and friend, died peacefully May 22, 2011, at Aultman Hospital, Canton, with his family by his side, following a period of declining health.
Born March 18, 1946, at Union Hospital, Ron was the son of the late Leo Edward and Doreen Gundy. As a young man, he excelled in athletics and worked alongside his father at Gundy Construction. In 1964, he graduated from New Philadelphia High School, an educational environment he strongly supported throughout his lifetime. He then learned the trade of bricklaying and completed a four-year apprenticeship, becoming a journeyman. He joined his family business, which was formed in 1957, as a full-time employee in 1964, beginning as a bricklayer, then a foreman, a superintendent, and ultimately an owner and estimator. In 1991, Ron was named president of Gundy Construction, which transitioned to Benchmark Construction in 1992. He held the title of vice-president and owner at Benchmark until his retirement in 2008.
Under the direction of Ron and his brother, Len, Gundy Construction and Benchmark Construction built numerous area landmarks including Monroe Mall, Otterbein United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church, Adventure Harley Davidson, Kent State University Tuscarawas, Harts Family Center, the State Highway Patrol Barracks, Investment Partners, the Gundy Building, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, the Southern District Court, Uhrichsville, the Geib Funeral Center, Dover, and the renovation of Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium and numerous additions to Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory to name a few.
Ever patriotic, Ron served in the U.S. Army, where he and his wife, Nancy, were stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War.
Giving back to the community was of paramount importance to Ron. He was actively involved in the New Philadelphia Rotary Club, where he became a Paul Harris Fellow. His memberships also included the Quaker Club, the Quarter Milers Club, and RTY, Inc., as a board member. His volunteer efforts as a member of the Friday Night Football Chain Gang began in 1964 and have continued each year since, expanding beyond Friday Nights to each of the seventh, eighth, and ninth grade football games. He rounded out his Quaker support as a Quaker Foundation patron for numerous years. He was honored with the Spirit Award by the New Philadelphia Quaker Foundation in 2009.
Ron also had a passion for nature and animals. He enjoyed hunting with his entire family and being outdoors. He also was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan. He never missed watching the draft on television.
On Nov. 20, 1964, Ron married his best friend and love, the former Nancy J. “Nan Bob” McHenry, who survives. Together, they shared a lifetime of love, devotion, and adventure. He will also be deeply missed by his brother, Leonard “Len” Gundy of New Philadelphia; sister, Susie (Jim) Day of New Philadelphia; sister-in-law, Yvonne (Don) Stine of Freeport; brother-in-law, Roy (Carol) McHenry of Oklahoma; former sister-in-law, Jan Gundy of New Philadelphia; nieces and nephews, Rindi (Kevin) Wilson of Greenville, S.C., Mimi (Justin) Fox of Charlotte, N.C., Von Gundy and Jenny (Jay) Culler, both of New Philadelphia, Jackie Day of St. Clairsville, and Mark (Corina) Stine, Randy (Tena) Stine, and Shelly (Bill) Patterson, all of Freeport; great-nieces and -nephews, Annie and Jack Wilson, Lotte and Piper Fox, Leo Culler, Heather, Todd, Danielle, Evan, Dillan Ashley, and Shane Stine, Justin, Courtney, Tyler, and Austin Patterson; cousin, David (Maureen) Chambers of England; his special friends, Ken and Karen Napier of Zoar; and four great-great-nieces and -nephews.
He was preceded in death by his niece, Jessica Day; and great-nephew, Elijah Stine.
Services celebrating Ron’s life will be held May 26, at 1 p.m., at Otterbein United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park, New Philadelphia. Friends are invited to the church fellowship hall following the committal service, where a luncheon will be served by his church family.Visitation will be held May 25, from 4-8 p.m., at Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory, New Philadelphia.
Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family at http://www.geibcares.com.
Memorial contributions in Ron’s memory may be directed to the Quaker Club, Attn: Tom Farbizo, 248 Front St. SW, New Philadelphia 44663; or Otterbein United Methodist Church, 156 Beaver Ave. NE, New Philadelphia 44663.
Born March 18, 1946, at Union Hospital, Ron was the son of the late Leo Edward and Doreen Gundy. As a young man, he excelled in athletics and worked alongside his father at Gundy Construction. In 1964, he graduated from New Philadelphia High School, an educational environment he strongly supported throughout his lifetime. He then learned the trade of bricklaying and completed a four-year apprenticeship, becoming a journeyman. He joined his family business, which was formed in 1957, as a full-time employee in 1964, beginning as a bricklayer, then a foreman, a superintendent, and ultimately an owner and estimator. In 1991, Ron was named president of Gundy Construction, which transitioned to Benchmark Construction in 1992. He held the title of vice-president and owner at Benchmark until his retirement in 2008.
Under the direction of Ron and his brother, Len, Gundy Construction and Benchmark Construction built numerous area landmarks including Monroe Mall, Otterbein United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church, Adventure Harley Davidson, Kent State University Tuscarawas, Harts Family Center, the State Highway Patrol Barracks, Investment Partners, the Gundy Building, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, the Southern District Court, Uhrichsville, the Geib Funeral Center, Dover, and the renovation of Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium and numerous additions to Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory to name a few.
Ever patriotic, Ron served in the U.S. Army, where he and his wife, Nancy, were stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War.
Giving back to the community was of paramount importance to Ron. He was actively involved in the New Philadelphia Rotary Club, where he became a Paul Harris Fellow. His memberships also included the Quaker Club, the Quarter Milers Club, and RTY, Inc., as a board member. His volunteer efforts as a member of the Friday Night Football Chain Gang began in 1964 and have continued each year since, expanding beyond Friday Nights to each of the seventh, eighth, and ninth grade football games. He rounded out his Quaker support as a Quaker Foundation patron for numerous years. He was honored with the Spirit Award by the New Philadelphia Quaker Foundation in 2009.
Ron also had a passion for nature and animals. He enjoyed hunting with his entire family and being outdoors. He also was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan. He never missed watching the draft on television.
On Nov. 20, 1964, Ron married his best friend and love, the former Nancy J. “Nan Bob” McHenry, who survives. Together, they shared a lifetime of love, devotion, and adventure. He will also be deeply missed by his brother, Leonard “Len” Gundy of New Philadelphia; sister, Susie (Jim) Day of New Philadelphia; sister-in-law, Yvonne (Don) Stine of Freeport; brother-in-law, Roy (Carol) McHenry of Oklahoma; former sister-in-law, Jan Gundy of New Philadelphia; nieces and nephews, Rindi (Kevin) Wilson of Greenville, S.C., Mimi (Justin) Fox of Charlotte, N.C., Von Gundy and Jenny (Jay) Culler, both of New Philadelphia, Jackie Day of St. Clairsville, and Mark (Corina) Stine, Randy (Tena) Stine, and Shelly (Bill) Patterson, all of Freeport; great-nieces and -nephews, Annie and Jack Wilson, Lotte and Piper Fox, Leo Culler, Heather, Todd, Danielle, Evan, Dillan Ashley, and Shane Stine, Justin, Courtney, Tyler, and Austin Patterson; cousin, David (Maureen) Chambers of England; his special friends, Ken and Karen Napier of Zoar; and four great-great-nieces and -nephews.
He was preceded in death by his niece, Jessica Day; and great-nephew, Elijah Stine.
Services celebrating Ron’s life will be held May 26, at 1 p.m., at Otterbein United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park, New Philadelphia. Friends are invited to the church fellowship hall following the committal service, where a luncheon will be served by his church family.Visitation will be held May 25, from 4-8 p.m., at Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory, New Philadelphia.
Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family at http://www.geibcares.com.
Memorial contributions in Ron’s memory may be directed to the Quaker Club, Attn: Tom Farbizo, 248 Front St. SW, New Philadelphia 44663; or Otterbein United Methodist Church, 156 Beaver Ave. NE, New Philadelphia 44663.
Published: May 25, 2011
