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Ronald M. Balchunas, was many things to many people.
To his family, he was a loving son, husband, father
and grandfather. Ron was a life member of both
West End Fire Co. in Kulpmont and Elysburg Fire Co.,
where he served as Chief 171 and also as Treasurer and
EMS Committee Chairman. Ron was also involved
with the Boy Scouts of America in which he was a
member of the Order Of The Arrow as well as being on
the camping committee. To us, he was a
Pennsylvania Forest Fire Warden and Forest Fire
Specialist Supervisor for the Columbia, Montour,
Northumberland Division operating out of Shamokin (Bear Gap)
Fire Control Station. He was also qualified as
an instructor for most NWCG courses and was noted
for his anecdotes and war stories that help break-up
the monotony of these classes. The one
thing Ronnie was to everyone who knew him was
friend.
Ron received his appointment as a Pennsylvania
Forest Fire Warden on April 26, 1988 while working
as a Seasonal Forest Patrolman at the Hillsgrove
Ranger Station in District 20. Working his way
up the ladder, he was promoted to Seasonal
Semi-Skilled Laborer in 1995 and then, less than a
year later to Salaried Semi-Skilled Laborer in 1996.
In November of 2003 Ronnie was promoted yet again to
Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor. In March of
2005 he was transferred to Shamokin Fire Control
Station, more commonly known to us as Bear Gap.
Later that same year, as a result of re-districting
Ron was welcomed into the District 18 Family.
Although his time
with the Weiser Forest District was limited, Ron
seemed to have at least some impact on all of our
lives. You will be missed Ronnie; thank you
for being so much to so many.
The heartfelt
condolences of the entire Weiser State Forest
District 18 to Ron's Family.
MEMORIAL TREE
PLANTING
A Memorial Tree Planting
was held for Ronnie on Friday April 24th at 9:30
AM at the Elysburg
VFD.
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