Ronald Cheney

Obituary for
Ronald Cheney
Castle Hill:
On Monday September 5, 2022, Ronald L. Cheney passed away in his home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Ronald was the son of Lewis and Anne (Dillon) Cheney. He was raised in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The oldest of 6, He prided himself in being his mother's best friend and leading his sibling group by example. He attended Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts and continued his education with a Bachelors of Arts Degree from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Ronald met Terry, his wife, his Junior year in college at a Yale University Football game.
Ronald and Terry continued their romance through college graduation. Ronald commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force and after their September 30, 1958 nuptials, relocated to Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. Ronald and Terry had an adventurous marriage, including the birth of two children, Linsley and David, while traveling to and setting up life at multiple duty stations in Okinawa, Washington, California, Nevada, New York and Maine. Ronald was a flight navigator on multiple air frames including the C130, EC-46, and B47 and served in Vietnam with 566 combat missions flown. He was shot down in combat, captured, and spent six days in the Laos jungle; overcoming all odds and returning home. With the completion of the Vietnam war, Ronald received many honors as a navigator and air traffic controller. He was a decorated service member with the highest honor being the Distinguished Flying Cross. Ronald retired from the US Air force as a Major after 20 years of dedicated service.
Ronald and Terry purchased property on Big Machias Lake (while stationed at Loring Air force Base), a camp that would allow for many memories made and the desire to become part of the Northern Maine community. Ronald secured employment in the North Maine woods as a Kenworth Truck salesman and talked Terry into leaving upstate New York, where the family resided. After a winter at Camp, Ronald and Terry found a home located in Castle Hill where they would soon embark on their next endeavor. Ronald was the lucky purchaser of a pig who, unbeknownst to him, would produce a litter of 8. From this, Hog Haven Enterprises was born.
Ronald was the local Pig Man for many years; turning a hobby into a business venture that would develop into many lessons and learning experiences for the grandchildren that joined the picture as time progressed. After pig farming he became heavily involved in his son's potato farming operation which lead to a greater love for his home and property, known now as "Cheney Family Farms".
Ronald had an immense amount of pride in his family and looked for every opportunity to share his experience - from Pig Roasts to digging potatoes, soccer and basketball to the ever-present Fox news. He was kind and loving and always looked out for the underdog. He shared with anyone that would listen and offered a hand to anyone that needed it. He is a soul that will be greatly missed.
He is predeceased by his parents, his brother David Cheney, his sister Anne (Cheney) Scott, his brother Richard (Rip) Cheney, and his beloved companion, Samson the dog. He is survived by his wife, Terry Cheney, his children Linsley (Cheney) Hews and her husband Lewis, David Cheney and his wife Shari, his grandchildren, Jordan Wildeman and her companion Shawn Rich, Lauren Fotter and husband, Kenny, John Wildeman and his companion Michael Brewer, Joshua Cheney and his wife Alex, Gabriel Cheney and his wife Chelsea, Hannah Pickens and her husband Jake, Claire Cheney and her fiancé Evan Flewelling, a sister Louise DeLew and her husband Bruce, a brother Philip Cheney and his wife Elizabeth, and a brother in law Peter Scott. Ronald was blessed with 12 wonderful great grandchildren who brought him the most joy.
A graveside service with military honors will be held 2pm October 7th, 2022, at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Caribou. In Lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to the Aroostook House of Comfort P.O. Box 867 Presque Isle Maine o4769 or to Dunntown Advent Christian Church P.O. Box 491 Washburn, ME. 04786. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bowers Funeral Home and Cremation Service Presque Isle. Online condolences may be shared at www.bowersfuneral.com