Ron Kuhns

On Thursday evening, July 16, 2015, Ronald Lee Kuhns was called to be with his Lord and Savior and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. He will be remembered as an honorable, generous and outgoing man, and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Ronald was born July 26, 1933 in Lincoln, NE to Harold and Hilda (Slaybaugh) Kuhns. The family, including older brother, Harold Dean Kuhns (Wilma), moved around the country 15 times before Ron graduated from high school. Ron is survived by his wife, Sylvia Anne Ewing Kuhns; his son Ronald J. (Peggy) of Austin, TX, son Jeffrey S. (Kristen) of Seattle, WA and four grandchildren who were the joy of his life: Austin Jeffrey (Kyla), Amanda Lynn, Marina Leigh (Jerrell) Briscoe and Megan Leigh Kuhns. Love of the great outdoors will be one of Ron and Sylvia’s everlasting legacies to their children and grandchildren. Ron’s memory and life are celebrated in these hearts, along with all who knew him.

Ron is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, OH. While in college, he met and married, Sylvia, the love of his life, and started his career with Shell Oil Company. The family spent the first years of their life together in Cleveland then New Jersey before relocating to Houston, TX where Ron held a variety of financial and management positions within Shell Oil Company, Shell Chemical Company, Shell Development Company and the Shell Oil Company Foundation. After 38 years with Shell, Ron retired and they moved to Estes Park, CO in October of 1996, where they quickly integrated into their new community. While in Estes Park, their love of the Rocky Mountains drew them to join Trailmasters and become avid hikers, summiting multiple 14ers in their retirement years. Ron and Sylvia also travelled extensively to hike the great outdoors.

Ron was always active in his church and in social service organizations, through personal deeds and financial support, as taught to him by his mother and dad. For many years, Ron was a volunteer firefighter, Stephen minister, square dancer and avid Texas Longhorn fan. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Estes Park, and served on the Board of Directors of Estes Park Medical Center and also of Big Thompson Sanitation District, and was a volunteer Ranger at Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park. Bear Lake was his absolute favorite place!

Please join us to honor and celebrate Ron’s life on Friday July 24, 2015 at 1:30 PM at Ron and Sylvia’s place of worship, Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies. Ron requested that donations be directed to the Estes Park Medical Center Foundation-EMS (Emergency Medical Services), P.O. Box 3650, Estes Park, CO 80517 or to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, Attn: Ronald L.and Sylvia Kuhns Fund, P. O. Box 3100, Estes Park, CO 80517.