We Remember Ron...
Ron Reames:
Important things in my life are my Christian faith, my family and my love for Macs. I'm looking forward to teaching this fall at Fargo's newest middle school where I'll teach grades 6 and 7. This summer I'm opening on online business at Design4Worship.com where I am selling backgrounds for contemporary Christian worship services.
A little of my Mac history:
My first computer was an Apple IIc, bought in 1984, and I've been hooked ever since.
Those of us who go back Mac OS 6 and 7-something, Ron
was such an early adopter. Back in the days of Mac OS
7.x and 8.x, he was always first to upgrade, first to
overload the operating system with TONS of add-ons
(anyone remember Kalidescope?) and first to find out
where the operating system would break. I always
thought that Apple should have had him on the payroll,
such was his enthusiasm for new technology, and such
was his knack for finding its hidden flaws.
Jay Goos
Ron Reames . . .
I don't even know how long I have known him. Back to the days when Robert Wade lived in West Fargo and helped me build my first web site. That's a long time ago. I really only knew him through the User Group. It seems like he was always there, always in charge, always keeping things going, always finding the speakers for the next meeting, always giving programs himself. I remember that Ron seemed to have more trouble with his Mac computers than anyone else in the group. It seemed that there were always messages about "this" crashing, "that" didn't work, etc. I'm sure it was because Ron was always operating on the edge of the computer envelope. He liked it that way. He liked being there. He was usually the first to get a new computer, the first to test a new OS, etc. He was a teacher who loved to learn so that he could teach more.
Kathy and I were at the funeral yesterday. It was beautiful. It was emotional. It was educational. I learned things about Ron that led me to know him better and respect him even more. Ron is 11 months older than me. I was one of the last people to stop at his casket before they closed it. He was much too young to die. You can't often say this about someone lying in a casket, but he looked good. He looked like the Ron we all knew. This was a real wake-up call for me to take good care of myself, and enjoy life today, because we never know if there will be a tomorrow.
Larry Harrington
In the days that have passed since Ron's funeral, I continue to be filled with a great sense of loss. Our Mac Community has lost a great advocate, leader, helper and friend. I continue to remember him as always being so excited about any and all new Mac technology. I remember him today, especially, as the iphone is released, and can't help but wonder what his posting on this board would have said, how he might have considered how he could get one to work here in the F-M area, or how he might have challenged us to join with him in bringing that technology in this part of the world. He is, and will be, greatly missed...
Thanks,
Candace
I had known Ron slightly for several years. Our sons had attended school together. When I first heard about the users group, his involvement sparked my interest.
As others have said, Ron was a friendly, committed leader for the group who made everyone feel welcome. I suspect some of the same skills and genuine interest in people made him a fine teacher, as well.
As I got to know Ron even better, thought my involvement in the group, I was always impressed with his outgoing manner, sincerity, genuine interest in others, and commitment to the Mac and the users group.
As many know, Ron was a man of deep faith, as well. Although he never forced his faith on others, he didn't hide it, either. His sudden passing at an early age is a reminder of the importance of the faith he held so dear.
It is fiting that the club honors and remembers Ron in this way and I add my thoughts with fond memories and the belief that he's in a better place.
Kim Koppelman
Jay Goos
Ron Reames . . .
I don't even know how long I have known him. Back to the days when Robert Wade lived in West Fargo and helped me build my first web site. That's a long time ago. I really only knew him through the User Group. It seems like he was always there, always in charge, always keeping things going, always finding the speakers for the next meeting, always giving programs himself. I remember that Ron seemed to have more trouble with his Mac computers than anyone else in the group. It seemed that there were always messages about "this" crashing, "that" didn't work, etc. I'm sure it was because Ron was always operating on the edge of the computer envelope. He liked it that way. He liked being there. He was usually the first to get a new computer, the first to test a new OS, etc. He was a teacher who loved to learn so that he could teach more.
Kathy and I were at the funeral yesterday. It was beautiful. It was emotional. It was educational. I learned things about Ron that led me to know him better and respect him even more. Ron is 11 months older than me. I was one of the last people to stop at his casket before they closed it. He was much too young to die. You can't often say this about someone lying in a casket, but he looked good. He looked like the Ron we all knew. This was a real wake-up call for me to take good care of myself, and enjoy life today, because we never know if there will be a tomorrow.
Larry Harrington
In the days that have passed since Ron's funeral, I continue to be filled with a great sense of loss. Our Mac Community has lost a great advocate, leader, helper and friend. I continue to remember him as always being so excited about any and all new Mac technology. I remember him today, especially, as the iphone is released, and can't help but wonder what his posting on this board would have said, how he might have considered how he could get one to work here in the F-M area, or how he might have challenged us to join with him in bringing that technology in this part of the world. He is, and will be, greatly missed...
Thanks,
Candace
I had known Ron slightly for several years. Our sons had attended school together. When I first heard about the users group, his involvement sparked my interest.
As others have said, Ron was a friendly, committed leader for the group who made everyone feel welcome. I suspect some of the same skills and genuine interest in people made him a fine teacher, as well.
As I got to know Ron even better, thought my involvement in the group, I was always impressed with his outgoing manner, sincerity, genuine interest in others, and commitment to the Mac and the users group.
As many know, Ron was a man of deep faith, as well. Although he never forced his faith on others, he didn't hide it, either. His sudden passing at an early age is a reminder of the importance of the faith he held so dear.
It is fiting that the club honors and remembers Ron in this way and I add my thoughts with fond memories and the belief that he's in a better place.
Kim Koppelman
When I joined the club, about a decade ago, the biggest
attraction besides Macs, was Ron himself. There was
something I really liked about the guy. I was just
drawn to him, he was so eager to help people and so
very friendly and outgoing. If ever someone came to him
for help with their computers or anything, Ron went out
of his way to help them. How do I know? Because, he
helped me countless times.
I remember way back, when all I had was dial-up internet, and I was faced with downloads taking many hours and sometimes all day. All I had to do was ask Ron and he would do the downloads for me and even burn a CD without asking anything in return. I did things to repay his kindness, but it wasn't because he asked me to, it was because I wanted to. Ron inspired that kind of behavior in others, especially me.
Actually, I counted Ron as one of my best friends and it wasn't because we shared the same beliefs in politics or religion. In fact, we were quite different in those areas, but you know what? It made no difference to either of us. I remember on one occasion, Ron even admitted that he was more conservative than some of us, but he made it a point to also say, it made no difference to him. None whatsoever. If you were his friend, that's the only thing that really mattered.
I always felt good about helping Ron at club meetings and II'll miss listening to his software presentations. He sure knew how to find and use software programs, some I even use to this very day. One thing I'll especially miss are the chats we had at the Fryn' Pan Restaurant. I could listen to him for hours, but he usually didn't stay that long. It didn't matter though, I liked his company, as did the whole club.
This year, I had my own tragedy. My mother became ill and eventually died. I was in no shape to run this year's annual club picnic, so I asked Ron to take over for me and he agreed. I remember him sending me a sympathy card, a computer printed one. A message on it said, that if I ever wanted to sit down for coffee and a chat, to give him a call. I wished I had taken him up, but it made me feel good that he offered it.
Now Ron has died, leaving no one to run the picnic. Out of respect for Ron and because I love the guy, I'll take back the picnic. The picnic just won't be the same without him, that's true, but this is something he would have wanted us to do. I'm sure of it. I hope we have a good turn out.
As I type this tribute to him, I'm discovering just how much I really miss the guy. The funeral was well done and the aisles were crowded. Ron was very popular, which was no surprise to me. I guess this is it. We'll have to keep the club going without Ron, but at least he showed us how it should be done.
In memory of a good friend,
Dave
I remember way back, when all I had was dial-up internet, and I was faced with downloads taking many hours and sometimes all day. All I had to do was ask Ron and he would do the downloads for me and even burn a CD without asking anything in return. I did things to repay his kindness, but it wasn't because he asked me to, it was because I wanted to. Ron inspired that kind of behavior in others, especially me.
Actually, I counted Ron as one of my best friends and it wasn't because we shared the same beliefs in politics or religion. In fact, we were quite different in those areas, but you know what? It made no difference to either of us. I remember on one occasion, Ron even admitted that he was more conservative than some of us, but he made it a point to also say, it made no difference to him. None whatsoever. If you were his friend, that's the only thing that really mattered.
I always felt good about helping Ron at club meetings and II'll miss listening to his software presentations. He sure knew how to find and use software programs, some I even use to this very day. One thing I'll especially miss are the chats we had at the Fryn' Pan Restaurant. I could listen to him for hours, but he usually didn't stay that long. It didn't matter though, I liked his company, as did the whole club.
This year, I had my own tragedy. My mother became ill and eventually died. I was in no shape to run this year's annual club picnic, so I asked Ron to take over for me and he agreed. I remember him sending me a sympathy card, a computer printed one. A message on it said, that if I ever wanted to sit down for coffee and a chat, to give him a call. I wished I had taken him up, but it made me feel good that he offered it.
Now Ron has died, leaving no one to run the picnic. Out of respect for Ron and because I love the guy, I'll take back the picnic. The picnic just won't be the same without him, that's true, but this is something he would have wanted us to do. I'm sure of it. I hope we have a good turn out.
As I type this tribute to him, I'm discovering just how much I really miss the guy. The funeral was well done and the aisles were crowded. Ron was very popular, which was no surprise to me. I guess this is it. We'll have to keep the club going without Ron, but at least he showed us how it should be done.
In memory of a good friend,
Dave