RONALD EDWARD SCHEUREN

Posted 7/28/21

Ronald Edward Scheuren, aka “Rocket Ron,” passed away after a long illness at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, FL on July 24, 2021. He was 84 years old and a long-time resident of …

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RONALD EDWARD SCHEUREN

Posted

Ronald Edward Scheuren, aka “Rocket Ron,” passed away after a long illness at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, FL on July 24, 2021. He was 84 years old and a long-time resident of Narrowsburg, NY.

Rocket is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan C. (Holfeld) Kowsz Scheuren, his six daughters and one son: Helen Wolfe (Tom), JoAnna Fischer (Richie), Zane Colabrese (Pat), Stacie Snow (Dan), Vincent Scheuren, Veronica Cotton (Dennis) and Christianna DeGori. He has 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is survived by siblings Annette Monahan of Ashland, PA and Jim Scheuren of Mechanicsburg, PA and their families.

Ron was born in Lavelle, PA to Dorothy and Robert Scheuren on August 9, 1936. His family owned and operated Scheuren’s Dairy Farm when he was growing up, which fostered his love of nature and all things science. He graduated from Schuylkill High School, earned a B.S. from Bloomsburg University and a M.S. from Penn State.

He was hired as a science teacher at Narrowsburg Central Rural School in 1958 and taught there for 36 years until he “officially” retired in 1994. He taught seventh- and eighth-grade biology, earth science, chemistry and physics. He remained an active substitute science teacher in Narrowsburg for many years after retiring. He also coached and refereed initially for boys’ basketball and then for both girls’ soccer and basketball over those 36 years.

Mr. Scheuren loved teaching and coaching his students, but it was more than just science and sports. He shaped many lives by teaching life skills, morals, ethics and how to care for and love others. He had high expectations of his students and taught by example and through advice. He did it with humor, enthusiasm and possibly by a stray eraser or two.

Rocket was an avid environmentalist, organizing Arbor Day programs as well as local community ecology initiatives and was a wilderness guide for New York State. He worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the Gypsy Moth Program in the Summer of 1960 and spent a summer as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service in 1980.

On August 17, 1976, Ron and a group of former students floated a log raft 143 miles down the Delaware River from Narrowsburg, NY to New Hope, PA in celebration of America’s bicentennial. They were on the river for 11 days, receiving much publicity, along with the added bonus of promoting his beloved river valley. It was the experience of a lifetime and one Ron loved to remember.

Rocket was involved in many firsts. He was the first Sullivan County Chief Radiological Officer during the Cold War Era. He facilitated the first Earth Day for Sullivan County when he was the chairman of the Sullivan County Environmental Advisory Council. He founded and managed Narrowsburg’s first ski club.

Ron was an active member of New York State United Teachers, the National Education Association and was the president of the local teacher’s union. He successfully negotiated many teachers’ contracts with the Board of Education. He belonged to the Tusten Lions Club, Democratic Club and the Tusten Ambulance Corps. He was a lector at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for many years and had a deep Christian faith.

Rocket’s life was full of variety of other professions besides teaching during his lifetime. He worked at the Monticello Raceway for 25 years. He was a NY and PA real estate agent, a Red Cross swimming and lifeguard instructor, and even sold and installed TV satellite dishes.

After retiring, Ron spent his winters in Sarasota, FL, where he served on the Board of the Homeowners’ Association.

Ron loved telling corny jokes, especially knock-knock jokes, to anyone that would listen. He loved his family and friends. He was a truly memorable person who was respected, loved and admired by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 1 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Narrowsburg Union, Delaware Hall, 7 Erie Ave. in Narrowsburg (former Narrowsburg School gym). A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 2 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Narrowsburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, in Narrowsburg. He will be interred in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Narrowsburg.