Ronald E. Drum

My deepest sympathy Donna. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
MaryAnn Rakow

Ron was a great friend to me when I was just starting out as a teenager. I spent so much time over at Ron's house that I think his son Chris must have not seen Ron that often.

I had been studying about computers when they were somewhat of a novelty (1980s) and my family didn't have enough money to buy one. Ron would let me program his Apple computers and a wonderful friendship began which lasted through my college years.

Before the internet took off and before everyone know about "email," Ron and I ran a "bulletin board system" (BBS) in Ron's basement on an Apple IIe with 13 floppy disk drives.

I wrote much of the software which made the BBS go. Ron didn't do much of the programming and left that part to me. Ron made sure that we had a crazy assortment of equipment. I think he liked to see how far I could push the software and liked the interaction from people all over the world.

When we needed to have some new module or feature added to the BBS, Ron would challenge me to write it and push me in the best way possible. Usually encouraging me by expressing surprise and amazement which made me want to do even more.

My association with Ron eventually led to a job at Apple Computer after college. The job was very much directly related to my association with Ron and not so much my college degree -- the engineers at Apple had noticed some of the work I had done while helping with the BBS with Ron.

If Ron hadn't helped me, encouraged me, and pushed me... I don't know where I would have ended up.

But, I do know that in a very real way, Ron Drum helped me start-out my life and my career on the best foot possible. I have had great jobs and worked for Apple, Microsoft, and Nintendo. And all of that because of Ron allowing me to take over his basement for a few years.

Ron's BBS "handle" as the sysop on the Yacht Club BBS was "Silver Hawke". He used to sign off his letters by saying...

Silver Hawke
Stay Kool...

Thank you.

[[[[ Sound Wave ]]]]

Donna - Please accept my sincere condolences. Our families met under very difficult circumstances at Manorcare but you and Ron were so kind to me, Don and Shelly. He is at peace and now you must take care of yourself. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Christine Allen