Ronald Edward “Von Ron” Pidgeon
VERGENNES
Ronald Edward “Von Ron” Pidgeon, 78, of Vergennes, passed away peacefully at Burlington Health & Rehab on Monday, April 4, 2016, and was met at the pearly gates by his brother, Marcus, and his son, Joseph Edward. Ron was born at home in North Ferrisburg, VT on May 21, 1937, the son of Edward and Bertha (Quentin) Pidgeon.
Ron attended Cathedral High in Burlington, transferred to Vergennes High School and graduated in 1955. He worked at Simmonds Precision Products after graduation until his retirement in 1993. Over the course of his 37 years of service Ron held numerous titles, starting as an Assembler and working his way up to Process Engineer. He was a valued problem solver which helped him weather the company’s many transitions.
Ron served in the Naval Reserve Service from June 1955 until his honorable discharge in June 1963. He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy, on June 30, 1957. He had a gift for all things mechanical and, with his wife’s help, ran Pidgeon’s Motorcycle Sales & Service as a sideline for over thirty years.
“Von Ron” was loved by family and friends for his mischievous grin, a ready story (perhaps even true!), his smooth “broadcaster voice,” and an ability to fix darn near anything, preferably with duct tape and WD-40.
Ron leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Sorrell) Pidgeon; his three children and families, Cynthia Slater and husband James of Middlebury, VT; Deborah Whaley, husband Gregory, and their daughters, Hannah and Sarah, of Kernersville, NC; Jeffrey Pidgeon and wife Anita Coulter of Berkeley, CA. Ron is also survived by two sisters, Elaine Saltus and Gail Swenor, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Calling hours including a brief service will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes on Sunday, April 10. A celebration of life gathering will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Elderly Services Inc., PO Box 581, Middlebury, VT 05753.
