Ronald Lee Walsworth

There is, after all, no house like God’s out of doors.”- Robert Louis Stevenson

Like no other-

Ronald Lee Walsworth – “Ronnie”, as a child and into his 20s, “Ron” once he became a father – was the first-born child of Henry Marie Walsworth (Spray) and Lee Benjamin Walsworth, coming into the world on November 8, 1935, in Springfield, Missouri. He moved to St. Louis with his parents in 1941, returning to Springfield in ’47. He attended Pipkin Middle School and Senior High School (now Central High School) in Springfield, graduating at the age of 16 in the top three of his 1952 class. Ronnie was graduated from Drury University in 1958, with a double major in Economics and Geology.

As a young boy and teen, Ronnie spent summers with his grandparents, Cora and John Stewart, on their farm in Halfway, where his prowess as a card player began and his love of rural America was born. During his years in St. Louis, living but three blocks from Sportsman’s Park, Ron and neighborhood friends were members of the renowned “Knothole Gang” of WWII-era St. Louis baseball history. In Springfield, he frequently could be found at the Springfield Boys Club (now Boys and Girls Club of Springfield), playing basketball, learning chess, and making friends. At Senior High School, he played softball as catcher, earning the nickname “Rollo” for his tag-and-roll acumen at home plate. He attended Central Christian Church in Springfield, and Christian Church of Halfway.

On June 8th of 1958, Ron and Judith Ann Moore, of Ozark, were married at Ozark Christian Church. They had met at Yocomo Bluff Church Camp in the summer of ’49, when Ron was 13. The following summer at camp, they became sweethearts. Alas, the two didn’t cross paths again until the spring of ’55, at a soda shop on Boonville near SMS (now MSU), where Judy was a sophomore. That chance meeting set things in motion for a love story that will never end, including 67 years of marriage and a mutual devotion the likes of which very few will know.

While Ron was serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy, from ’59 to ’63, he and Judy moved to Oakland, California, establishing a life there that they enjoyed immensely for its arts scene and coastal proximity. After leaving the Navy, Ron took a job with Polaroid, in 1964. A series of promotions led to their moves to Mercer Island, WA, Ridgewood, NJ, Hingham, MA, Sydney, Australia, and then back to Hingham, bringing along their young family of three children. Leaving Polaroid in 1977, Ron moved the family to New Canaan, CT, taking on a senior role at Ideal Toy Corp, and later serving as CEO of Berkey Photo. After leaving Berkey in 1988, Ron worked as an independent consultant for several years. In each of the communities in which they lived, Ron and Judy formed many long-lasting friendships, and with their children often in tow, explored the outdoors of each locale, as well as the wider world. Particularly memorable were trips to New Zealand, the Fiji Islands, southern Africa, Brazil, and China, as it opened to the West. In the late 1990s, their children grown, Ron and Judy retired to South Carolina. They built their dream house on Spring Island, and enjoyed many years there with dear friends from Navy and Polaroid days, wonderful new friends, and visits from family, including 10 grandchildren. Missing the Ozarks, Ron and Judy moved to Theodosia, MO, to live in their cabin on Bull Shoals Lake, from 2017-19, and later to Springfield. Ron and Judy also had 12 years enjoying their mountain cabin outside Cuchara, Colorado: hiking, exploring, and soaking in the glory of nature surrounding them there.

Ron’s love of sports and of the outdoors continued throughout his life. He hunted quail, turkey, and pheasant, and fished the White and Buffalo Rivers on many a float trip, bringing his little brother, John David, and friends from New England and the West Coast to discover and enjoy the natural beauty of the Ozarks. He had lots of stories to tell – almost all told with a feisty twinkle in his sky blue eyes and a smile breaking through his attempt at a poker face. Poker and other card game winnings brought in additional funds that helped him get through college. He continued to play – and usually win – into his 80s. Ron was hard working, competitive, and passionate about guiding/coaching his colleagues, employees, children, nephews, nieces, friends, friends’ children, grandchildren, and just about any young person he engaged with – toward being better, doing better, doing more for their own success, and helping those around them. Ron had exceptional human relations acumen and a sharp, analytical mind, which fed into his quick, relentless wit. Ron was widely known as a prankster and tease, from childhood until the last days of his life. He knew no stranger – he made friends the world over, from the toll booth worker to his latest business partner – and kept many until the end. He loved to win, but downplayed his accomplishments, as if they always could have been better. Ron was deeply committed to his dear friends – too many decades-long, fabulous friendships to mention. He was absolutely devoted to and in love with his wife, Judy. As a father and grandfather, he has no peer. Ron was preceded in death by his mother and father, Marie and Lee Walsworth, and his much loved nephew, Stuart Walsworth. He is survived by his beloved wife and closest ally, Judy; his brother, John; his sons, Ron, Jr. (Lisa) and Jamie; his daughter, Sarah; his 10 beautiful grandchildren: Johnny (Julia), Andrew, Jack, Anne Marie, Lee Benjamin, Tommy, Seydina, Ronnie III, Aïcha Jane, and Judith; and his great-grandson, Janvier. We will celebrate Ron’s life in a private burial service on October 22nd. Ron benefited greatly from the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield and felt indebted to the organization for its role in his development as a young man. In his memory, you may donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, or the club in your area.

“Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” King James Bible, Psalm 23:6

A private visitation and private graveside service will be held at Ozark City Cemetery, under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.