Dr. Ronald Ripley, DDS, entered eternal peace on June 8, 2026 at Peyton Hospice House in Fairlea, WV. Dr. Ripley said his greatest joy in life was growing up in Union, Monroe County, WV and retiring there in 1987. His many friends would say that Dr. Ripley – “Ron” or “Ronald” to them – was their gift, as well.
An oral surgeon practicing 30 years in Baltimore, who also served as an Air Force Captain in charge of oral surgery at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, Ron was born on Nov. 23, 1932 to C.R. and Martha Ripley of Greenville, WV. After their move across the county to Union, he entered first grade and graduated Union High School before entering West Virginia University. He was proud of the fact that his Alma Mater, The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery – University of Maryland, “was the first dental school in the world.”
A man of deep faith, strong convictions, and quiet dignity, Ron had an absolute love for horticulture, a joy that came from his mother and both grandparents. As much as he enjoyed growing plants, he enjoyed building and growing relationships.
Ron was president of both the Monroe County Historic Society and the Monroe County Landmark Commission. He also served on the WV Region 1 Planning & Development Council, a public agency serving six counties in southern West Virginia focusing on infrastructure, economic development, housing, and community planning. A historian who appreciated the finer things in life, Ron was an avid collector of antiques and helped establish the Monroe County Arts Alliance. He was awarded the Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 for his numerous contributions to the preservation of West Virginia’s cultural heritage.
Predeceased by his parents and sister Carolyn Ripley Kronmeister, Ron is survived by his brother-in-law Bill Kronmeister, beloved niece Margaret Kronmeister McCabe (Kenneth) and nephew Edward Kronmeister (Laurie), of Richmond, VA. Anyone privileged enough to have known Ron, knows his heartbeat was his love for God, his family, and his friends.
Deeply devout, Ron was a lifelong member of Union Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder for many years on the UPC Session.
His family and friends will visit for one hour prior to his 2 PM Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 13 at Union Presbyterian Church in Union. Officiant Nancy Bulla Nemitz will be joined by Ron’s friend, The Reverend Ben James. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the Union Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 239, Union, WV 24983. Groves-Mann Funeral Home will handle arrangements.
In addition to his niece Margaret, Ron especially wanted to thank Dr. Katherine Calloway, Medical Director of Hospice WV, “to whom I have undying appreciation and immeasurable gratitude,” as well as Nancy Bulla Nemitz and the nursing staff at Peyton Hospice House, for their exceptional medical professionalism and compassion.
There isn’t a soul whose life Ron touched who could imagine he is anything but present in their every moment, loving just as unfailingly now as he did in life. His parting message was for us to be kind to strangers, “for you may be entertaining angels.”
Ron drew inspiration from Micah 4:4: “But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.”
“That is from the King James translation, as I’m guessing it’s the one Washington would have known best. Washington used the phrase a lot in his correspondence; he was very into the idea of the soldier being able to stop fighting and live in peace on their own little patch of land. He also used it specifically to refer to Mount Vernon, as I would my home in Union.”
Heartfelt in this writer’s memory, was a tender reflection, “We have to learn to be content where we are. It is learned and it takes a while. For a long time I wanted to be where I was and resented where I am. Now I have found contentment. The gift of contentment.”
