Ronald Kent Scribner

Ronald Kent Scribner died at the age of 74 at the Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City on March 14, 2023. The son of Theodore Roosevelt and Annabelle (Ellis) Scribner, he was born on June 22, 1948 in Denison, Texas. He was a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. He spent his younger years living in various towns in Oklahoma since his father built flood control dams requiring the family to relocate often. His love for the outdoors and his fondness for reading were a constant in his life.

Ron was a scientist, researcher, professor, musician, athlete, carpenter, hunter, fisherman, golfer, and mentor. There are times that opportunities present themselves and decisions are made that affect great numbers of people, both young and old. When Ron decided to pursue a career in Microbiology, he could not have known the impact he would have on the field of science and on the many people he would influence both professionally and personally.

After graduating from Shawnee High School in 1965, Ron attended Oklahoma State University graduating with a BS in Microbiology in 1972. He worked briefly for two companies monitoring food quality before moving to New York City where he worked at the Isaac Albert Research Institute of Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn. He began working on his MS degree in Microbiology at Long Island University and graduated in 1978.

After moving back to Oklahoma, Ron and three friends started the Samurai Construction Company in 1978. They often built houses, but one of the projects Ron was the most proud of was the remodeling of the pool cover and the amphitheater at Quartz Mountain. This project was also unique since inmates at the Granite Reformatory worked for the company, a remarkable opportunity for all.

When a research position became available at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ron began a chapter in his life that gave him great satisfaction as he saw the work that he was doing affect future treatment of cystic fibrosis and other childhood diseases. During his tenure at OUHSC, he authored 16 original articles, two book chapters and 35 abstracts. He completed coursework toward a doctorate at OU.

In 1986, Ron found another passion when he became an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), becoming a full-time professor in 1989 teaching microbiology, biology, and later immunology. He helped create a Biotech program and was instrumental in developing and teaching a summer science academy helping high school science teachers develop hands-on curriculum. He and other colleagues wrote and published a lab manual for Microbiology.

Along with his contributions to research, Ron always felt that one of his greatest gifts was teaching. Throughout his professional career, he not only shared his knowledge and expertise with students but with his colleagues as well, thus increasing his impact. His mentorship to others is truly one of his legacies.

Ron was serious about his profession, but he also found happiness in many other aspects of his life. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. This love and his science background led him to be a passionate conservationist. In school, he played football, basketball and baseball. Although he played intramural soccer and basketball, softball had a special place in his life as the manager and a player for the Classen Grill Gorillas. He later found great pleasure in playing golf almost every weekend.

Ron developed an interest in music at a very young age. He played the piano, the cornet, and the banjo, but his real love was the guitar. He found great satisfaction in playing and in teaching others to play. He spent many pleasurable hours with a guitar in his hand.

Ron was an ardent reader and always had a book, a journal or a magazine close at hand as reading was an important part of his life.

Ron met his wife, Margaret Bergant, in 1986. They spent many years together enjoying dancing and listening to music, attending the symphony, concerts and plays. They played co-ed softball, fished and also shared the love of reading.

After experiencing serious health issues he was fortunate enough to be a recipient of a liver transplant in 2007. Thanks to exceptional support from his colleagues and from OCCC, he was able to return to teaching. He retired as a professor at OCCC in 2014, but his teaching never stopped. Even while he was in Intensive Care during the last weeks of his life, he shared his knowledge. His last wish was to have his body donated to science, so even in death he will continue to teach. Our gratitude to Dr. Kent Smith and the OSU Center for Health Sciences for making this possible.

We wish to express our sincere thanks to all at Integris Baptist Hospital who took exceptional care of Ron before, during and after his transplant. The doctors, nurses, techs, and therapists of 6 West and the Palliative Care staff who cared for Ron the last two weeks of his life were phenomenal as was the care given to him at The Integris Hospice House. And we thank the many close friends who have supported Ron and Margaret throughout the years, especially during some very difficult times.

Ron is survived by his wife, Margaret (Oklahoma City); his brother and sister-in-law, Ted and Authalene Scribner of Copperas Cove, TX; sister-in-law, Carol Sola of Trinidad, CO; brother-in-law, Fred Sola and wife, Wanda of Trinidad, CO; cousin, Bette Craig of Williamstown, MA; nephews, Ted Scribner and wife, Tandra of Sulphur; Wayne Scribner and wife, Robyn Elliott of Ada; Jeff Scribner and wife, Misty of Copperas Cove, TX; niece, Lisa Fox of Copperas Cove, TX; and great nephews and nieces.

Ron's charismatic personality and his generous nature will be profoundly missed by family, friends, and colleagues. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the Chickasaw Nation Community Center located at 4001 NW 39th Street in Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron's memory can be made to the Ronald Scribner Scholarship Fund at the OCCC Foundation, the Ronald Scribner Scholarship Fund for American Indians in Medicine and Science at the OSU Foundation, the Integris Hospice House, or the Nature Conservancy. For more specific information you can email bergant@cox.net.