Ronald Widman Obituary
Ronald A. Widman, 70, died 10/3/19 at Kobacher House. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Deborah; son, Ryan; grandson, Owen; and honorary granddaughters, Lucy and Mia; siblings, Ralph, Marti and Tim; as well as extended family members and many friends. Ron was predeceased by his parents Ralph and Nora. Ron was a proud Army veteran (1968-71) with service in Vietnam and Korea. He was a talented photographer, author of historical newspaper articles, and a news cameraman/film editor/film archivist for WBNS-TV winning an Emmy for "They Shoot Iron Horses" and two Telly Awards for Ashland Chemical films. An avid railroad aficionado, especially PRR. Memorial services will be held as follows: Mon., 10/21/19 at NOON at BUCYRUS T&OC DEPOT (700 E Rensselaer St, Bucyrus, OH 44820) and Sat., 10/26/19 at 10 AM at UPPER ARLINGTON LUTHERAN CHURCH (3500 Mill Run Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026). Burial in Oakwood Cemetery, Bucyrus, OH. Donations may be made to Crestline Historical Society or PRR Historical Society (PRRT&HS). Arrangements handled by Shaw-Davis Funeral Homes.
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Ron Olsen
September 7, 2022
Ron, was a great shooter and a good man. Rest in peace, buddy.
A cinematography pro over the years!
Greg WOLSKE
November 20, 2019
I met Ron Widman in early 1991. My company, Lasso Productions, created video, film and audio productions, advertising, media buys and marketing for several law firms, including my Father's firm, Wolske & Blue, as well as corporate video for clients such as Nationwide Insurance and others. I had recently conceived of and had begun producing an original and unique documentary film about the history of American 1950's Rockabilly Music, Tear It Up!. In the two or three years prior to meeting Ron, I realized that shooting on motion picture film provided superior results to video and I began to self-teach myself the craft of film cinematography. That experience convinced me 16mm film was the best medium for my documentary project. As producer/director of this film I needed to interview my subjects and it was not possible to be cameraman and interviewer at the same time. So one day this unassuming humble guy comes to my office to discuss working with me as a cameraman for my project. Ron told me he had shot film in Vietnam and was a long time cameraman for WBNS 10TV where he had received some awards for his work. I thought this was awesome but I had no idea of the great friendship, camaraderie and mutual respect that was to come.
Ron and I traveled all over the country filming and interviewing some of the most interesting and musically talented people you could ever meet. We shot live concerts at Lincoln Center in NYC, Great Yarmouth, England, and numerous venues throughout the USA. Ron also worked with me on my advertising production projects. We shot 35mm film of my father and his law partner and 16mm film for many other clients and projects. Through Ron's connections we also had the opportunity to shoot a 16mm film for the PBS, ten episode TV documentary, The American President (2000). Our shots of historical artifacts as well as the exterior and interior of the Rutherford B. Hayes house in Fremont, Ohio, are well represented in the final production. Ron also worked with me on my original documentary short, The American Teenage Hot Rod, which was selected to be screened at the Tiburon International Film Festival near San Francisco.
When it came to shooting film and/or video, Ron was an absolute pro. He was patient, methodical and very focused both literally and physically. I was good at the craft but watching Ron greatly influenced and enhanced my shooting skills. But I also think that my more aggressive style of cinematography also had an influence on Ron, as he clearly began to push the envelope a little harder.
Ron and I saw each other and talked on the phone periodically over the years. I had always hoped to work with him again but life kept throwing me curve balls. One thing I will always miss is when Ron called me I'd answered the phone and he'd say Hey, what's going on down there now! Can't believe he is gone, will always miss my friend Ron.
Greg Wolske
Cindy Straub
October 28, 2019
I worked with Ron at Channel 10 in the 80's! He was always ready to do whatever was asked of him and was easy to get along with! I am sure he will be missed! May God Bless your family during this difficult time!
Stu Nicholson
October 21, 2019
Great guy....we bonded as friends right away over our mutual love of trains and railroading. He told me he had just started working for the Erie Railroad at Marion, Ohio when he got word of being accepted for a videographer job at 10TV....never looked back.
Loved working with him as a reporter. He had a knack for seeing the "big picture" on a story and taught me to take a step back and get that view to put a story in context. Always had your back when things got tough or dicey.
He had a remarkable sense of history: documented the photos and history of the huge Pennsylvania RR roundhouse and yard at Crestline, Ohio. He also spent a couple of years going through all of 10TV's film and videotape archive to put it over to digital.
Last time we talked was at the last 10TV reunion. I will miss talking trains with him.
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Gary Bush
October 21, 2019
Though I hadn't seen Ron since our days together at WBNS-TV I still have vivid memories of him as a kind and gentle friend. His genuine qualities came through in many ways, especially through his humor and his ability to listen and care. As a fellow news cameraman I truly admired his artistry and calm demeanor. You are loved and missed, Wid.
DERRICK BLAKLEY
October 21, 2019
Ron guided me gently and wisely when I worked as a reporter at WBNS in my first television job in the late 1970's. His work showed both determination and kindness. And he forever loyal to his fellow Vietnam veterans, working to ensure that their sacrifice was never forgotten. God bless you, Ron.
John Marggraf
October 18, 2019
Ron and I have known each other for a life time. We were paperboys for the Telegraph Forum, he having the largest route of 160 customers and me having the smallest route of 80 customers. We often parodied our boss with expressions that we learned while paperboys, and Ron told me in later years that the comedic relief we heard at the newspaper office in the mid 1960's was really old Vaudeville lines. "They're shootin fish in the bath tub". In later years Ron and I spent time in Ohio, as my Columbus tour guide extraordinaire, going to Korean restaurants in Columbus, in Bucyrus at class of 1968 reunions and Bratwurst Festivals, listening to Midwestern corn grow at midnight and here in the South enjoying the Gulf of Mexico and the real Florida. There is a void in my life, and I will miss sharing the past, present and future with a true friend!
Ron Listening to Corn Grow
John Marggraf
October 18, 2019
Bob Flores
October 18, 2019
I was forttunate to meet Ron at the first PRRTH&S convention that I ever attended back in 2001. He had copies of the earlist Keystones for sale at great and affordable prices. It has been a pleasure over the years to share our interest in the Pennsy. He will be missed.
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