Ronald Neil Umscheid was born in Manhattan, Kansas on May 25, 1939, to Ronald Arthur Umscheid and Harriet Lucille Fagan.
He graduated high school from St. Patrick’s High School in Fremont, Nebraska in May of 1958.
The Umscheid family moved after his graduation to Gas Hills, Wyoming where Ronald Senior worked as a mine supervisor in an open pit uranium mine. Ronald Neil worked in the same mining area and ran heavy equipment.
In the spring of 1962, the family moved to a cattle ranch on the Little Wind River, near Riverton, Wyoming.
Ronald was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Army from March 1963 to February 1965 and he was honorably discharged. He served a large portion of his military service in Germany and reached the rank of SP4, grade E4.
After his discharge, Ron moved to Alaska and spent several years working in the coal mining industry. While in Alaska he attended the University of Alaska and earned an associate degree in mining and petroleum engineering.
In 1980 he returned to the cattle ranch and worked the ranch with his brother Darrell until 1985 when the ranch was sold.
Ron accepted a position with the State of Montana in 1987 as a mine Safety Inspector and worked for the state for twenty-four years, retiring in 2011. Ron has lived in Helena for most of those years until his passing.
In 2004, Ron met Barbara Hutchison, his wife. They shared their lives together for 20 years.
Ron loved to camp, fish, and spend time outdoors. He very much enjoyed cooking; his home-made beans were awesome! He also loved exploring Montana’s beautiful countryside, driving his beloved Dodge pickup.
Ron was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Arthur; his mother, Harriet Lucille; a brother, Darrell and two brothers-in-law, Robert and James.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his sister, Phyllis of Nebraska; his brother, Tom (Sharon) of Wyoming; sister, Carol of Colorado; brother, Jon (Patti) of Utah and brother Patrick “Mick” (Eileen) of South Dakota; step-daughters, Jennifer Hirtzel and Stephanie Hess.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:30 a.m.
Tuesday February 11, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Tuesday February 11, 2025
Social Center of the funeral home
,
Burial with Military Honors
1:30 p.m.
Tuesday February 11, 2025
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:30 a.m.
Tuesday February 11, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Tuesday February 11, 2025
Social Center of the funeral home
,
Burial with Military Honors
1:30 p.m.
Tuesday February 11, 2025
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Maureen Glatzmaier says
Ron, was so very kind to my husband Mark and I. We lived in Helena Montana and twice he drove us to dr. Appointments to Great Falls and also over to Missoula for dr. Appointments. Ron and Barbara also took us to Philipsburg, Montana for a great day of sightseeing and had lunch. We were lucky to share Thanksgiving and an Easter with Ron and Barb in their home. When the snow got so bad we couldn’t stay in our home, Ron and Barb took us into their home till we could go back. Thats the kind of man Ron was….open to help without hesitation. He was a good man and will be missed.
Debbie Henkens Driver says
Uncle Neil lived life on his terms. I’m grateful he is no longer in pain. Rest now, Uncle Neil
Sharon Meyer says
Dearest Barb,
So sorry to hear of Ron’s passing, he was one of the finest gentlemen I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Ron for many years I will always enjoy all his many stories he told while working in Alaska, he is what you call a real miner! He always had nothing but great things to say about you I am so happy he found love with you . He will be missed by everyone who knew him, I know I will🙏 RIP Ron
Jordan Reisbeck says
We are so sorry for your loss, Barb. Ron was truly a stand up guy and we will greatly miss him.
Jordan and Lauren Reisbeck