Ronald Yates
June 11, 1932 — January 17, 2025
It is with deepest sorrow that we mourn the passing of Ronald Lee Yates of Woodbine, MD; he died on January 17, 2025 surrounded by loved ones at the age of 92. Born on June 11, 1932, to Glenn and Ruth Yates (Hubbard) in Estherville, Iowa, he was an accomplished wrestler in his youth and spent his early life in Iowa. Pursuing his passion for chemistry and science, he attended Iowa State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry in 1954. He remained an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan throughout his life. Following graduation he served as an MP in the US Army at Fort Riley, Kansas, until 1957.
In 1957, Ron moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the Federal Government as an Analytical Chemist for the Food and Drug Administration. He enjoyed a long and rewarding career there until his retirement in 2007. Despite offers to move into management, he never wanted to be a “pencil pusher” and chose to work in research where he was happiest.
It was there that he met and married a fellow chemist, Sally Ann Kehler. They were wed on April 16, 1961, had four children, and built a life together. They started their family in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., and then moved to the new planned community of Columbia, Maryland in 1972, where they lived and raised their children for 25 years. Finally, they settled on a beautiful property in Woodbine, Maryland, where they could build their dream garden and a wood shop for Ron. It was there that he was able to live out the rest of his life.
Music was important to Ron and there was often music playing in the house and in his wood shop. He loved Classical, Bluegrass and Folk music. He had a fun, sometimes mischievous, sense of humor that was firmly rooted in the past, with bookshelves of comics like Pogo and a love of Looney Tunes cartoons and old Laurel and Hardy movies. Always a do-it-yourselfer, he mastered the craft of woodworking, creating beautiful pieces which will always be cherished by his family. As an avid gardener and chemist he enjoyed the art of canning and fermenting, and found happiness in sharing his creations with others. He was especially known for his hot pickles; the hotter, the better. He will be remembered for his love of family, his generosity, his sense of humor and his inquisitive mind.
Ron will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Sally, and their children; Kaye Lorraine Yates, Nancy Anne Strakna (Adam), William Arthur Yates (Michele) and Paula Jean Clifton (Hugh). He was a caring grandfather to Hannah, Emily and Adam Strakna, and Brian and Andrew Yates. In recent years he was able to spend more time with his brother, Steve and sister-in-law, Pat, as well as his sister, Janice White. He always looked forward to their visits and phone calls. He was predeceased by his parents, Glenn and Ruth Yates.
We will celebrate Ron’s life with a Memorial Service at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 16151 Old Frederick Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771, on Saturday, April 12th at 1:00 pm. Interment of his ashes to follow at the Church’s Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Maryland Food Bank or Heifer International. Arrangements by www.burrier-queen.com
In 1957, Ron moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the Federal Government as an Analytical Chemist for the Food and Drug Administration. He enjoyed a long and rewarding career there until his retirement in 2007. Despite offers to move into management, he never wanted to be a “pencil pusher” and chose to work in research where he was happiest.
It was there that he met and married a fellow chemist, Sally Ann Kehler. They were wed on April 16, 1961, had four children, and built a life together. They started their family in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., and then moved to the new planned community of Columbia, Maryland in 1972, where they lived and raised their children for 25 years. Finally, they settled on a beautiful property in Woodbine, Maryland, where they could build their dream garden and a wood shop for Ron. It was there that he was able to live out the rest of his life.
Music was important to Ron and there was often music playing in the house and in his wood shop. He loved Classical, Bluegrass and Folk music. He had a fun, sometimes mischievous, sense of humor that was firmly rooted in the past, with bookshelves of comics like Pogo and a love of Looney Tunes cartoons and old Laurel and Hardy movies. Always a do-it-yourselfer, he mastered the craft of woodworking, creating beautiful pieces which will always be cherished by his family. As an avid gardener and chemist he enjoyed the art of canning and fermenting, and found happiness in sharing his creations with others. He was especially known for his hot pickles; the hotter, the better. He will be remembered for his love of family, his generosity, his sense of humor and his inquisitive mind.
Ron will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Sally, and their children; Kaye Lorraine Yates, Nancy Anne Strakna (Adam), William Arthur Yates (Michele) and Paula Jean Clifton (Hugh). He was a caring grandfather to Hannah, Emily and Adam Strakna, and Brian and Andrew Yates. In recent years he was able to spend more time with his brother, Steve and sister-in-law, Pat, as well as his sister, Janice White. He always looked forward to their visits and phone calls. He was predeceased by his parents, Glenn and Ruth Yates.
We will celebrate Ron’s life with a Memorial Service at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 16151 Old Frederick Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771, on Saturday, April 12th at 1:00 pm. Interment of his ashes to follow at the Church’s Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Maryland Food Bank or Heifer International. Arrangements by www.burrier-queen.com
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