Ronald Edward Kauffman

1937 - 2019

Ronald Edward Kauffman
Ronald Edward Kauffman, of Milford (formerly of Willington), passed away on September 10, 2019. Born on April 8, 1937 in Philadelphia, PA to David and Alma (Dildine) Kauffman, Ronald served 24 years in the US Army, many of those as a member of the Special Forces, the Green Berets. During his military service, he held assignments overseas in Japan and Germany as well as 3 tours in Vietnam. His commendable service earned him numerous awards and decorations including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He retired in 1979 with the rank of Sergeant Major. Ronald was well-known in the Willington community, having run his own air conditioning and refrigeration service for over 20 years. He was a Deacon with the Federated Church of Willington and Quartermaster and past Commander of the VFW Corporal Henry Toberman Post 938. Ronald is survived by his wife Yen and four daughters and their spouses; Kim and Curt Smith (Trumbull); Linh Kauffman and Gary Ruschman (Minneapolis, MN); Lee and William Tyson (Loveland, CO); and Rhonda Kauffman and Christian Tryon (Storrs); brother Wayne Kauffman (Rydal, PA); grandchildren Connor and Dylan Smith and Violet Tryon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 19 at 10 a.m. at the State Veterans' Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Disabled American Veterans (dav.org), the Federated Church of Willington, or The United Church of Christ in Devon. Swan Funeral Home, Old Saybrook is handling arrangements.