Obituary
Ronald Myer Scribner (Ron), 78, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 4th, 2024, at Advent Health East Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House, in Palm Coast, Florida after losing his longtime battle with cancer. He described himself as “a philosophical free bird…life enthusiast…creative artist literally and figuratively…always & forever, a low-end specialist”.
Ron was born in Staples, Minnesota and attended Mankato High School then North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He served in the United States Army during the Viet Nam War, in Taegu, Korea serving in the Adjutant General’s Corps as a US Army Administration Specialist. After his military duty, he found a career as a Foundryman working in several Mankato foundries. Ron moved to Bloomington, Minnesota where he met his loving wife and best friend, Gwen. They met at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio and continued to dance together throughout their time together. After his retirement, they moved to Ormond Beach, Florida in 2009.
Besides dancing, he enjoyed spending time with his family, cooking, entertaining, traveling, playing darts and bowling. Ron enjoyed oil painting landscapes and people and would often gift his paintings to others. He had an insatiable thirst for learning and loved to read, often writing notes and essays on what he learned. He would watch the news, politics, sports, and science while he sat with his tablet researching various topics. He was the person you wanted on your Trivial Pursuit team as he had a fantastic memory and could answer the questions with precision and accuracy.
A big part of Ron’s life was his philosophy on religion and Humanism. So, what did Humanism mean to him? In an article he wrote for the Humanists of Minnesota newsletter, he replied: “The first thing that appeals to me is that humankind takes center place in the universe: there is no higher form of life than human in the universe. The ethical concern for human beings and their work and welfare is the most important interest to me. I am a humanitarian in both social and individual terms. I believe that a theory of value does not come from a supernatural being but rather it is found within human life. Second, there is commitment to the use of critical thinking in the analysis, decision making, and assessment of value judgments. Third, I reject any supernatural conception of the universe. In short, Humanism can look to the ennoblement and enrichment of human life as an end in itself. There are no absolute values or norms independent of what humankind individually and socially chooses.”
Ron was an active member of the Humanists of Minnesota, serving as a Board Member, Treasurer, and President. He enjoyed the friendships, the activities, and the ongoing opportunities to have deep discussions covering a wide range of topics. He received two awards from the HOM, “Outstanding Humanist” in 2006 and “Humanist of the Year” in 2010. He remained active with the Humanists in Florida for several years through various meet up discussion groups.
Last, but not least, Ron was an avid Minnesota Vikings Fan. While in Minnesota, Ron and Gwen would have friends and family over to watch the Vikings play. Not every Vikings game was shown in Florida, so they would stop at a local bar to watch the games. Of course, there was always beer and snacks. Ron’s favorite alcoholic beverage was beer, which he called “liquid bread” and none of that “light watered-down pee water” as he called it, it was a dark beer like a porter, an ale, or even a Guinness.
Ron Scribner was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Marion (Koons) Scribner, and his sister: Marjorie K (Bentdahl).
Ron is survived by wife, Gwen (Gunnerson) Scribner, son Jon Michael Scribner of Waseca, MN, daughter Lisa Marie Scribner (Steve Biehn) of Mankato, MN, daughter Tae Lynn Born (Todd Schmidt) of Waseca, MN, son Jacob Matthew Scribner (Emily Wisch) of Gaylord, MN, sister Marlys (Carl) Carlson; ten grandchildren; one great grandchild; and Ron and Gwen’s dog, Trixie.
As per his wish, Ron was cremated in a private ceremony this past May at the Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society in Ormond Beach, Florida. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on August 4th from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. in Waseca, MN at the 2nd Avenue Event Center, 113-2nd Ave NW, Waseca, MN 56094. A second COL is being planned for family and friends in Ormond Beach with the date still to be set.
Should you desire, contributions may be sent to The HealthWell Foundation (they help cover the cost for life extending and lifesaving expensive drugs to those unable to afford them):
20220 Century Blvd. Suite 250
Germantown, MD 20874
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