My thanks to Si, Teresia, Rhonda, Renae, Rhonna, Leif, Kathy, Lanny, Jere, Mike, Beth, Jerry, Dollie, Kay, Joe, Tammie, Nancy, Libby, Albert, Mary, Jean, Joanne and others in creating a composite of Ron.
Everyone knew a little about Ron. He had many facets. Interestingly, those who knew about him, knew him as Moon-man OR Spaceman, depending on what circle of friends. Often, I would ask, “Did you know the Moon-man?” and the answer would be no. Then I would ask about Spaceman and they would answer “yes” immediately. Very few knew his name was Ronald Franklin Kenward. He was born April 5, 1940, in Medina, Orleans County, New York State. He grew up in that county, living in Medina, Millville, and Shelby. His father was Franklin Kenward; mother, Velma Baube. Ron was 5’11”, red hair and hazel eyes. He had two older sisters, Joanne Kenward Gardner of Missouri and Joyce Kenward Wilson. I have a high school picture of him from a Medina year book. He studied two years at college as an electrical engineer. Ron was in the Navy. He served three years in the Navy, from Oct. 25, 1962, to April, 26 1965. As historical background our country was engaged in the Cuban Missile Crisis for 35 days beginning Oct. 16, 1962 to Nov 20. Ron’s last assignment was on the U.S.S. Orion (AS18), a submarine tender on our East Coast. He was an electrical tech, grade E-3. Ron was honorably discharged.
We don’t have much of Ron’s story before he came to Meeker or what twisted his mind. Between 1967 and 1976, Ron mailed letters to his sister Joanne, from Fairbanks, Alaska, and Reserve, New Mexico. At least twice Ron wound up in the VA hospitals in Grand Junction, Seattle and perhaps Salt Lake City and was operated on for brain tumors. Ron returned to Meeker and stopped in at the police station. He declared that the operation was a success and an egg-sized tumor had been removed. Ron showed his sense of humor by declaring that he was now an egghead. After a while, he became accepted as a town character. Once a month he would cash his check at the bank. He would talk endlessly with people he trusted. Others knew him a just a guy who walked everywhere, including out to the Meeker Airport to stand in the parking lot. There they called him Spaceman. Was he waiting for galactic visitors? After one stay at the VA hospital in Grand Junction, Ron moved to Washington State. VA doctors there called and asked if Meeker was willing to take him back. Libby Raley, then director of the Pines Apartments on Water Street, agreed to make him room. He lived there for about five years.
I am sure everyone has heard the parable of the Good Samaritan. I believe Meeker had several watching over Ron. Ron was a vet with mental instability when he left the service. The VA was understaffed when it came to dealing with vets with mental disabilities. Many struggled, trying to fit back into society. The downward spiral often left them friendless and homeless. In Denver, I saw them on the mall pushing grocery carts or sitting on the street. They made me uncomfortable. I felt that if I didn’t make eye contact, they wouldn’t ask me for a hand out. I didn’t want to see them as people. Ron fared better in Meeker than he would have in the big city. Here, he was cared for, at least as much as he allowed. One man described Ron as “invisible.” He was often encountered as he walked, but not “seen” as a person. Ron, when upset, could be frightening. Changes in his routine could upset him. I think it was part of his condition. Late in his life, Pioneers Hospital cared for Ron for 15 months, asking nothing in return, “Because it was the right thing to do.” His sister and family visited Ron at the Colo State Veterans Center in Monte Vista about 2011. Joanne described him as “gaunt, bearded, with long hair but still curious.” That was the last time they saw him. Ron Franklin Kenward came home to Meeker as ashes in an urn. He is buried in Highland Cemetery, a loner among Meekerites. Other than VA officials, Ron had one lone mourner at his internment. His Find-A-Grave entry is only a name and dates. Ron died July 12, 2012. I think we can remedy that lack of information now. We owe it to him.
To those in Meeker who have served; our current men and women in the service; our first responders; and my late friend Anthony Sanchez, I would like to say thank you. Friday is Veterans Day. Take time to honor Ron Franklin Kenward and others like him. Because it is the right thing to do.
Special to the Herald Times
My thanks to Si, Teresia, Rhonda, Renae, Rhonna, Leif, Kathy, Lanny, Jere, Mike, Beth, Jerry, Dollie, Kay, Joe, Tammie, Nancy, Libby, Albert, Mary, Jean, Joanne and others in creating a composite of Ron.
Everyone knew a little about Ron. He had many facets. Interestingly, those who knew about him, knew him as Moon-man OR Spaceman, depending on what circle of friends. Often, I would ask, “Did you know the Moon-man?” and the answer would be no. Then I would ask about Spaceman and they would answer “yes” immediately. Very few knew his name was Ronald Franklin Kenward. He was born April 5, 1940, in Medina, Orleans County, New York State. He grew up in that county, living in Medina, Millville, and Shelby. His father was Franklin Kenward; mother, Velma Baube. Ron was 5’11”, red hair and hazel eyes. He had two older sisters, Joanne Kenward Gardner of Missouri and Joyce Kenward Wilson. I have a high school picture of him from a Medina year book. He studied two years at college as an electrical engineer. Ron was in the Navy. He served three years in the Navy, from Oct. 25, 1962, to April, 26 1965. As historical background our country was engaged in the Cuban Missile Crisis for 35 days beginning Oct. 16, 1962 to Nov 20. Ron’s last assignment was on the U.S.S. Orion (AS18), a submarine tender on our East Coast. He was an electrical tech, grade E-3. Ron was honorably discharged.
We don’t have much of Ron’s story before he came to Meeker or what twisted his mind. Between 1967 and 1976, Ron mailed letters to his sister Joanne, from Fairbanks, Alaska, and Reserve, New Mexico. At least twice Ron wound up in the VA hospitals in Grand Junction, Seattle and perhaps Salt Lake City and was operated on for brain tumors. Ron returned to Meeker and stopped in at the police station. He declared that the operation was a success and an egg-sized tumor had been removed. Ron showed his sense of humor by declaring that he was now an egghead. After a while, he became accepted as a town character. Once a month he would cash his check at the bank. He would talk endlessly with people he trusted. Others knew him a just a guy who walked everywhere, including out to the Meeker Airport to stand in the parking lot. There they called him Spaceman. Was he waiting for galactic visitors? After one stay at the VA hospital in Grand Junction, Ron moved to Washington State. VA doctors there called and asked if Meeker was willing to take him back. Libby Raley, then director of the Pines Apartments on Water Street, agreed to make him room. He lived there for about five years.
I am sure everyone has heard the parable of the Good Samaritan. I believe Meeker had several watching over Ron. Ron was a vet with mental instability when he left the service. The VA was understaffed when it came to dealing with vets with mental disabilities. Many struggled, trying to fit back into society. The downward spiral often left them friendless and homeless. In Denver, I saw them on the mall pushing grocery carts or sitting on the street. They made me uncomfortable. I felt that if I didn’t make eye contact, they wouldn’t ask me for a hand out. I didn’t want to see them as people. Ron fared better in Meeker than he would have in the big city. Here, he was cared for, at least as much as he allowed. One man described Ron as “invisible.” He was often encountered as he walked, but not “seen” as a person. Ron, when upset, could be frightening. Changes in his routine could upset him. I think it was part of his condition. Late in his life, Pioneers Hospital cared for Ron for 15 months, asking nothing in return, “Because it was the right thing to do.” His sister and family visited Ron at the Colo State Veterans Center in Monte Vista about 2011. Joanne described him as “gaunt, bearded, with long hair but still curious.” That was the last time they saw him. Ron Franklin Kenward came home to Meeker as ashes in an urn. He is buried in Highland Cemetery, a loner among Meekerites. Other than VA officials, Ron had one lone mourner at his internment. His Find-A-Grave entry is only a name and dates. Ron died July 12, 2012. I think we can remedy that lack of information now. We owe it to him.
To those in Meeker who have served; our current men and women in the service; our first responders; and my late friend Anthony Sanchez, I would like to say thank you. Friday is Veterans Day. Take time to honor Ron Franklin Kenward and others like him. Because it is the right thing to do.
Special to the Herald Times
