Ronald G. Eastman, “Ron” age 90, of South Wellfleet and Stoughton, MA, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 4th, 2018 at the Pleasant Bay Nursing Home in Brewster, MA. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Dorothy Blood Eastman, and his brother, Berkeley Eastman. He is survived by his children: CDR Timothy Eastman USCG (retired) and his wife Kim of Herndon, VA., Dr. Beth Eastman Jorgensen and her husband Dr. Keith Jorgensen of Bedford, NH., Jonathan Eastman and his wife Maggie of Haymarket, VA., Scott Eastman and his wife Andrea of Tolland, CT., and Rory Eastman and his wife Anne of East Granby, CT.; 10 grandchildren, Rory Jorgensen and his wife Erin of Rolling Ridge Estates, CA., Elizabeth Jorgensen Nickerson and her husband Christopher of Bedford, NH., Julie Jorgensen Paynter and her husband Jonathan of Rineyville, KY., James Jorgensen of Norfolk, VA., Luke Jorgensen of Boston, MA., Kate Jorgensen of Bedford, NH., Sailor Eastman of Haymarket, VA., Matthew Eastman of Tolland, CT., Caroline Eastman of Key West, FL., Andrew Eastman of East Granby, CT., and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers: Roger Eastman of KY., Erick Eastman of FL., and South Wellfleet and Bruce Eastman of WA.
Ron was born in Braintree, MA., son of Capt. Frederick Eastman, USCG (retired) and Marie Barker Eastman Williams. He married Dorothy Blood in 1953. CDR Ronald Eastman was a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He served with distinction for 24 years in the US Coast Guard earning numerous medals including the Commendation Medal with “Combat V". After retirement from the USCG, he became the General Manager of the Woods Hole Steamship Authority, and during his tenure oversaw construction of the Nantucket Island Terminal building. In retirement, he worked as assistant harbormaster in Wellfleet, MA.
Commander Eastman was a proud veteran and loved his country. More than 18 of his 24 years of military service were at sea as an engineer which required deployment away from home and family for many months at a time. Having “sailed the seven seas” literally and figuratively, he was the consummate sailor. He was born in an era of sail and steam and was the epitome of an Old Salt - the last of the breed from a time when ships were made of wood and men were made of steel.
Our Country is in mourning, for a sailor and a patriot died today. An era now gone.
A service will be held at the Nickerson Funeral Home, Wellfleet, MA. on March 17, 2018 at 11am. Burial will follow immediately afterward at the Oakdale Cemetery, Wellfleet, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ron’s name to the United Service Organizations (USO) at USO.org. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com
