2006 - San Diego LGBTQ Wall of Honor Inductee
Ron Umbaugh was a community businessman known for his generosity and kindness. As the owner of the Crypt and several associated companies, Ron was active in many facets of San Diego's community and political life, including co-founding the local gay business association.
Ron grew up as an only child in Michigan and Ohio, and attended Kent State University. In 1970, he and Bob Clark moved to San Diego together-driving out from Michigan in a hearse! Ron had worked for the Kresge company in Michigan, and so he was able to obtain a position managing the Kmart in El Cajon. In a move that illustrates his commitment to loved ones, Ron left that position when his supervisors denied his request for leave to attend a family funeral.
In 1976, Ron met Virginia Umbaugh through her brother Dennis. Virginia had moved to San Diego from Ohio, and they became very good friends after Ron gave her a place to stay. They married in 1984, and Ron adopted Virginia's son Terry. They lived in the El Cajon/La Mesa area.
Inspired by a similar leather store in Los Angeles, and having learned from past businesses in San Diego that didn't fare well, Ron built the Crypt into a thriving local boutique. He created his own companies, DYN American and Cryptotechnology Corporation, that handled both manufacturing and retail. Although Ron and Virginia sold the businesses before he died, the buyer was unsuccessful, and Virginia took the companies back. Forced to file bankruptcy, Virginia credits Ron's strong reputation within the community with helping the businesses rebound quickly. She felt as though Ron was on her shoulder, guiding her along the way. Given a strong foundation by Ron, the Crypt is still flourishing, including two locations in San Diego, two in Denver, one in Long Beach, and one in Seattle.
In May of 1979, Ron founded the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) with other local businesspeople.
The GSDBA, San Diego's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and community-supportive Chamber of Commerce, began with 21 members and now has more than 750. It has grown to become one of the largest specialty chambers in the county and the second-largest gay, lesbian and supportive chamber in the nation.
Ron's involvement with GSDBA was symptomatic of his broader orientation to life. He believed that it was his respon- sibility to be involved in and give back to the community. Ron had a strong sense of values and ethical behavior, and was renowned for his kindness. He inspired others as well to be more generous and less judgmental.
Ron was "a free spirit" who believed strongly in fundamental rights and freedom, which led him to be active in politics. Ron also loved to read and to travel. His philosophy was that people should work hard but also play hard, and so he traveled as a respite from work. Journeying often to Mexico and Hawaii, Ron had also been around the world. He always advised others not to wait to do anything, but to take action today.
Ron developed AIDS in the early years of the epidemic, and died in June 1990. Nicole Murray-Ramirez remembers Ron as "a great man with a beautiful, caring heart," and his legacies remain part of the San Diego community.
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Ron Umbaugh was a community businessman known for his generosity and kindness. As the owner of the Crypt and several associated companies, Ron was active in many facets of San Diego's community and political life, including co-founding the local gay business association.
Ron grew up as an only child in Michigan and Ohio, and attended Kent State University. In 1970, he and Bob Clark moved to San Diego together-driving out from Michigan in a hearse! Ron had worked for the Kresge company in Michigan, and so he was able to obtain a position managing the Kmart in El Cajon. In a move that illustrates his commitment to loved ones, Ron left that position when his supervisors denied his request for leave to attend a family funeral.
In 1976, Ron met Virginia Umbaugh through her brother Dennis. Virginia had moved to San Diego from Ohio, and they became very good friends after Ron gave her a place to stay. They married in 1984, and Ron adopted Virginia's son Terry. They lived in the El Cajon/La Mesa area.
Inspired by a similar leather store in Los Angeles, and having learned from past businesses in San Diego that didn't fare well, Ron built the Crypt into a thriving local boutique. He created his own companies, DYN American and Cryptotechnology Corporation, that handled both manufacturing and retail. Although Ron and Virginia sold the businesses before he died, the buyer was unsuccessful, and Virginia took the companies back. Forced to file bankruptcy, Virginia credits Ron's strong reputation within the community with helping the businesses rebound quickly. She felt as though Ron was on her shoulder, guiding her along the way. Given a strong foundation by Ron, the Crypt is still flourishing, including two locations in San Diego, two in Denver, one in Long Beach, and one in Seattle.
In May of 1979, Ron founded the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) with other local businesspeople.
The GSDBA, San Diego's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and community-supportive Chamber of Commerce, began with 21 members and now has more than 750. It has grown to become one of the largest specialty chambers in the county and the second-largest gay, lesbian and supportive chamber in the nation.
Ron's involvement with GSDBA was symptomatic of his broader orientation to life. He believed that it was his respon- sibility to be involved in and give back to the community. Ron had a strong sense of values and ethical behavior, and was renowned for his kindness. He inspired others as well to be more generous and less judgmental.
Ron was "a free spirit" who believed strongly in fundamental rights and freedom, which led him to be active in politics. Ron also loved to read and to travel. His philosophy was that people should work hard but also play hard, and so he traveled as a respite from work. Journeying often to Mexico and Hawaii, Ron had also been around the world. He always advised others not to wait to do anything, but to take action today.
Ron developed AIDS in the early years of the epidemic, and died in June 1990. Nicole Murray-Ramirez remembers Ron as "a great man with a beautiful, caring heart," and his legacies remain part of the San Diego community.
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2006 - San Diego LGBTQ Wall of Honor Inductee
Ron Umbaugh was a community businessman known for his generosity and kindness. As the owner of the Crypt and several associated companies, Ron was active in many facets of San Diego's community and political life, including co-founding the local gay business association.
Ron grew up as an only child in Michigan and Ohio, and attended Kent State University. In 1970, he and Bob Clark moved to San Diego together-driving out from Michigan in a hearse! Ron had worked for the Kresge company in Michigan, and so he was able to obtain a position managing the Kmart in El Cajon. In a move that illustrates his commitment to loved ones, Ron left that position when his supervisors denied his request for leave to attend a family funeral.
In 1976, Ron met Virginia Umbaugh through her brother Dennis. Virginia had moved to San Diego from Ohio, and they became very good friends after Ron gave her a place to stay. They married in 1984, and Ron adopted Virginia's son Terry. They lived in the El Cajon/La Mesa area.
Inspired by a similar leather store in Los Angeles, and having learned from past businesses in San Diego that didn't fare well, Ron built the Crypt into a thriving local boutique. He created his own companies, DYN American and Cryptotechnology Corporation, that handled both manufacturing and retail. Although Ron and Virginia sold the businesses before he died, the buyer was unsuccessful, and Virginia took the companies back. Forced to file bankruptcy, Virginia credits Ron's strong reputation within the community with helping the businesses rebound quickly. She felt as though Ron was on her shoulder, guiding her along the way. Given a strong foundation by Ron, the Crypt is still flourishing, including two locations in San Diego, two in Denver, one in Long Beach, and one in Seattle.
In May of 1979, Ron founded the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) with other local businesspeople.
The GSDBA, San Diego's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and community-supportive Chamber of Commerce, began with 21 members and now has more than 750. It has grown to become one of the largest specialty chambers in the county and the second-largest gay, lesbian and supportive chamber in the nation.
Ron's involvement with GSDBA was symptomatic of his broader orientation to life. He believed that it was his respon- sibility to be involved in and give back to the community. Ron had a strong sense of values and ethical behavior, and was renowned for his kindness. He inspired others as well to be more generous and less judgmental.
Ron was "a free spirit" who believed strongly in fundamental rights and freedom, which led him to be active in politics. Ron also loved to read and to travel. His philosophy was that people should work hard but also play hard, and so he traveled as a respite from work. Journeying often to Mexico and Hawaii, Ron had also been around the world. He always advised others not to wait to do anything, but to take action today.
Ron developed AIDS in the early years of the epidemic, and died in June 1990. Nicole Murray-Ramirez remembers Ron as "a great man with a beautiful, caring heart," and his legacies remain part of the San Diego community.
=======================================
Ron Umbaugh was a community businessman known for his generosity and kindness. As the owner of the Crypt and several associated companies, Ron was active in many facets of San Diego's community and political life, including co-founding the local gay business association.
Ron grew up as an only child in Michigan and Ohio, and attended Kent State University. In 1970, he and Bob Clark moved to San Diego together-driving out from Michigan in a hearse! Ron had worked for the Kresge company in Michigan, and so he was able to obtain a position managing the Kmart in El Cajon. In a move that illustrates his commitment to loved ones, Ron left that position when his supervisors denied his request for leave to attend a family funeral.
In 1976, Ron met Virginia Umbaugh through her brother Dennis. Virginia had moved to San Diego from Ohio, and they became very good friends after Ron gave her a place to stay. They married in 1984, and Ron adopted Virginia's son Terry. They lived in the El Cajon/La Mesa area.
Inspired by a similar leather store in Los Angeles, and having learned from past businesses in San Diego that didn't fare well, Ron built the Crypt into a thriving local boutique. He created his own companies, DYN American and Cryptotechnology Corporation, that handled both manufacturing and retail. Although Ron and Virginia sold the businesses before he died, the buyer was unsuccessful, and Virginia took the companies back. Forced to file bankruptcy, Virginia credits Ron's strong reputation within the community with helping the businesses rebound quickly. She felt as though Ron was on her shoulder, guiding her along the way. Given a strong foundation by Ron, the Crypt is still flourishing, including two locations in San Diego, two in Denver, one in Long Beach, and one in Seattle.
In May of 1979, Ron founded the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) with other local businesspeople.
The GSDBA, San Diego's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and community-supportive Chamber of Commerce, began with 21 members and now has more than 750. It has grown to become one of the largest specialty chambers in the county and the second-largest gay, lesbian and supportive chamber in the nation.
Ron's involvement with GSDBA was symptomatic of his broader orientation to life. He believed that it was his respon- sibility to be involved in and give back to the community. Ron had a strong sense of values and ethical behavior, and was renowned for his kindness. He inspired others as well to be more generous and less judgmental.
Ron was "a free spirit" who believed strongly in fundamental rights and freedom, which led him to be active in politics. Ron also loved to read and to travel. His philosophy was that people should work hard but also play hard, and so he traveled as a respite from work. Journeying often to Mexico and Hawaii, Ron had also been around the world. He always advised others not to wait to do anything, but to take action today.
Ron developed AIDS in the early years of the epidemic, and died in June 1990. Nicole Murray-Ramirez remembers Ron as "a great man with a beautiful, caring heart," and his legacies remain part of the San Diego community.
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