Knowing that Ron has to always be busy, his daughter - who was living in Phoenix - insisted that he and his wife go check out Sun City West as a place to settle down. In less than 1 day they were hooked.  They moved into Sun City West in February 2006 and Ron played softball that same day.  

He quickly embraced life in Sun City West. During the past 11 years he has been highly involved in the Racquetball Club, the Softball Club, Square Dancing, as well as smaller involvements in others like wood working.  He served on the boards of both the Racquetball Club and the Softball Club. 

He was so proud of his community and gave his all in everything he volunteered to do.  Being a part of Sun City West kept him young, happy, and always smiling.

Ron enlisted in the U. S. Air Force after high school graduation in 1957.  He only intended to serve for a single four year tour but when the Cuban Missile Crisis hit he extended for another year.  Which kept extending until he retired after 30 years of service in 1987.

Ron's love of travel began in the military where he moved frequently with his family. His very first tour brought him across the country to Mather AFB, California where he stayed until 1962. 

In 1962 he moved to Hickam AFB, Hawaii where he had his first child, Richard in 1963.  He then transferred to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO in 1966 where he was the private driver for the General.  The position allowed him to meet several notable figures and even some celebrities - including Lucille Ball.  His second child, Robin, was born in CO in 1966.

From there he did a tour of duty  from 1970 to 1971 in Osan AB, Korea where he assisted at a local orphanage.

In 1971, he transferred to Kelly AFB, San Antonio, TX where his life changed - the result was him marrying his soul mate, Elizabeth Karen on June 30, 1977.  With the marriage he "inherited" two daughters, Deborah and Dianna.  

The new couple left immediately to a new duty station in Neu Ulm, Germany where they spent the next three years working and touring Europe.  They bought a little pop-up tent trailer and a Toyota Corolla and traveled the continent by car.

1980 brought another move back to the United States, to Pope AFB, North Carolina. The move was short though, and Ron requested new orders to Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal where they moved to in 1982.  While at Lajes Field, Ron achieved the highest Non-Commissioned Officer rank of E-9, Chief Master Sargeant joining a small, elite group of service people.

In 1985, he transfered for the final time as an active duty service member to March AFB, Moreno Valley, California where he retired with the highest honors as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1987.

Six months later, Ron took a civilian position working for the Air Force at Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ.  He spent the next 12 years working on base and being a "psuedo father" to many young soldiers beginning their careers away from home.

Before retiring for good, Ron and his wife Karen decided they wanted just one more tour overseas.  He applied for and got a position that allowed them to live the next 3 years in Ely, England and Ramstein AFB, Germany. 

After serving the United States for about 48 years, Ron retired at the end of 2005 back to Arizona.

Ron was born on May 9, 1938, in York County, PA to Everett and Catherine Eppley.  He had an older brother, Raymond, and a younger sister, Rita. 

He was raised mainly in Stewartstown on the farm.  He loved to tell stories of his "guard dog" geese that would stalk you and pinch your bottom if you walked by them without acknowledging them.  Or driving the farm tractors at the age of 8.  He also was very proud to have attended a one room school house - the building still stands today.  

Although he graduated in 1957, he was still friends with most of his classmates and attended class "reunions" regularly. 

He moved from Stewartstown in 1957 when he joined the U. S. Air Force.