Ronald Arthur Long, 81, of Highwood, Montana, died Saturday, April 10th from injuries sustained in a tragic accident while helping a friend.
Ron was born February 4, 1940 at Garfield County Hospital in Pomeroy, Washington, the first of four children for Burton and Marian Long. One year later, on Ron's birthday in 1941, the family settled at their new home on the farmlands above Highwood, Montana. Ron grew up to farm that same land until his retirement in 2004.
Ron attended Highwood Schools for all of his grade and high school years, graduating in 1958 alongside six good friends.
Ron moved on to the University of Montana in Missoula for college. He was an active SAE fraternity member and graduated in 1962 with a degree in Business. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the Air National Guard and served part time for 6 years.
Ron and Pat McClain dated throughout their UM college years and were married in 1963 on a hot July day in Fort Benton, Montana. The newlyweds settled on the Highwood Bench, where Ron farmed with his father until Burton's retirement, then continued to maintain the family farm, all while he and Pat raised four well loved children.
Each passing year on the farm strengthened Ron's passion as a steward of the land. Soil conservation, weed and salinity control, experimental crops, and soil acidity were all projects to which he devoted countless hours. His dedication was often recognized; he received honors from the Montana Salinity Control Association and DuPont/NACD Soil Moisture Manager Program and a lifetime achievement award from the Chouteau County Conservation District.
Ron's love of the land extended far beyond farming. He was an avid and adept outdoorsman, bow and rifle hunter, fisherman, explorer, and occasional cowboy. His beloved Shonkin and Highwood mountains were among his favorite places to spend his day, and always better when he could share it with friends or loved ones. His grandchildren will forever treasure their outdoor adventures with Grandad, as he did with them.
Following Ron's retirement from the farm, he and Pat moved into Highwood where a new chapter began and Ron threw his energy and time into new activities. He continued his longtime commitment to the Highwood Volunteer Fire Department, often mentoring and educating volunteers on practices and safety. Building Highwood's Bike-n-Walk Trail was a dogged nine years of volunteer and grunt work with an enormous reward for his community. He was a wonderful neighbor, always reaching out to aid and support those around him.
Ron's life was a testament to his commitment to Christ. In addition to ongoing leadership in his church, he lived a Christian life in full: kind, selfless, faithful, loving, and humble. His love of the Lord was ever present.
To know Ron was to know a story he told you. He had endless interest in listening and learning and he adored passing on the history of family, community, and the landscape that surrounds us all. Each of our lives are interwoven with threads that he strove to cherish and preserve.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Marian Long and his sister, Nancy Anne Long. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Pat Long of Highwood, children Andy (Grace) Long, Jody (Matt) Bowman, Sarah (Dirk) Sundt, and Lois (Sou Saephan) Long and grandchildren Katy and Jackie Long, Ransom and Morgan Bowman, Sloane and Tate Sundt, and sweet little Arthur Saephan.
A celebration of Ron's life will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, April 30th at the Montana Agricultural Center in Fort Benton, Montana. Interment will follow at the Fort Benton Cemetery. Those who so desire may make donations in memory of Ron to the newly formed Highwood Public School Foundation at 160 West Street South, Highwood, MT 59450, to the Highwood Scholarship Fund at PO Box 31, Highwood, MT 59450, or to a charity of their choosing.
Ron was born February 4, 1940 at Garfield County Hospital in Pomeroy, Washington, the first of four children for Burton and Marian Long. One year later, on Ron's birthday in 1941, the family settled at their new home on the farmlands above Highwood, Montana. Ron grew up to farm that same land until his retirement in 2004.
Ron attended Highwood Schools for all of his grade and high school years, graduating in 1958 alongside six good friends.
Ron moved on to the University of Montana in Missoula for college. He was an active SAE fraternity member and graduated in 1962 with a degree in Business. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the Air National Guard and served part time for 6 years.
Ron and Pat McClain dated throughout their UM college years and were married in 1963 on a hot July day in Fort Benton, Montana. The newlyweds settled on the Highwood Bench, where Ron farmed with his father until Burton's retirement, then continued to maintain the family farm, all while he and Pat raised four well loved children.
Each passing year on the farm strengthened Ron's passion as a steward of the land. Soil conservation, weed and salinity control, experimental crops, and soil acidity were all projects to which he devoted countless hours. His dedication was often recognized; he received honors from the Montana Salinity Control Association and DuPont/NACD Soil Moisture Manager Program and a lifetime achievement award from the Chouteau County Conservation District.
Ron's love of the land extended far beyond farming. He was an avid and adept outdoorsman, bow and rifle hunter, fisherman, explorer, and occasional cowboy. His beloved Shonkin and Highwood mountains were among his favorite places to spend his day, and always better when he could share it with friends or loved ones. His grandchildren will forever treasure their outdoor adventures with Grandad, as he did with them.
Following Ron's retirement from the farm, he and Pat moved into Highwood where a new chapter began and Ron threw his energy and time into new activities. He continued his longtime commitment to the Highwood Volunteer Fire Department, often mentoring and educating volunteers on practices and safety. Building Highwood's Bike-n-Walk Trail was a dogged nine years of volunteer and grunt work with an enormous reward for his community. He was a wonderful neighbor, always reaching out to aid and support those around him.
Ron's life was a testament to his commitment to Christ. In addition to ongoing leadership in his church, he lived a Christian life in full: kind, selfless, faithful, loving, and humble. His love of the Lord was ever present.
To know Ron was to know a story he told you. He had endless interest in listening and learning and he adored passing on the history of family, community, and the landscape that surrounds us all. Each of our lives are interwoven with threads that he strove to cherish and preserve.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Marian Long and his sister, Nancy Anne Long. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Pat Long of Highwood, children Andy (Grace) Long, Jody (Matt) Bowman, Sarah (Dirk) Sundt, and Lois (Sou Saephan) Long and grandchildren Katy and Jackie Long, Ransom and Morgan Bowman, Sloane and Tate Sundt, and sweet little Arthur Saephan.
A celebration of Ron's life will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, April 30th at the Montana Agricultural Center in Fort Benton, Montana. Interment will follow at the Fort Benton Cemetery. Those who so desire may make donations in memory of Ron to the newly formed Highwood Public School Foundation at 160 West Street South, Highwood, MT 59450, to the Highwood Scholarship Fund at PO Box 31, Highwood, MT 59450, or to a charity of their choosing.
Ronald Arthur Long, 81, of Highwood, Montana, died Saturday, April 10th from injuries sustained in a tragic accident while helping a friend.
Ron was born February 4, 1940 at Garfield County Hospital in Pomeroy, Washington, the first of four children for Burton and Marian Long. One year later, on Ron's birthday in 1941, the family settled at their new home on the farmlands above Highwood, Montana. Ron grew up to farm that same land until his retirement in 2004.
Ron attended Highwood Schools for all of his grade and high school years, graduating in 1958 alongside six good friends.
Ron moved on to the University of Montana in Missoula for college. He was an active SAE fraternity member and graduated in 1962 with a degree in Business. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the Air National Guard and served part time for 6 years.
Ron and Pat McClain dated throughout their UM college years and were married in 1963 on a hot July day in Fort Benton, Montana. The newlyweds settled on the Highwood Bench, where Ron farmed with his father until Burton's retirement, then continued to maintain the family farm, all while he and Pat raised four well loved children.
Each passing year on the farm strengthened Ron's passion as a steward of the land. Soil conservation, weed and salinity control, experimental crops, and soil acidity were all projects to which he devoted countless hours. His dedication was often recognized; he received honors from the Montana Salinity Control Association and DuPont/NACD Soil Moisture Manager Program and a lifetime achievement award from the Chouteau County Conservation District.
Ron's love of the land extended far beyond farming. He was an avid and adept outdoorsman, bow and rifle hunter, fisherman, explorer, and occasional cowboy. His beloved Shonkin and Highwood mountains were among his favorite places to spend his day, and always better when he could share it with friends or loved ones. His grandchildren will forever treasure their outdoor adventures with Grandad, as he did with them.
Following Ron's retirement from the farm, he and Pat moved into Highwood where a new chapter began and Ron threw his energy and time into new activities. He continued his longtime commitment to the Highwood Volunteer Fire Department, often mentoring and educating volunteers on practices and safety. Building Highwood's Bike-n-Walk Trail was a dogged nine years of volunteer and grunt work with an enormous reward for his community. He was a wonderful neighbor, always reaching out to aid and support those around him.
Ron's life was a testament to his commitment to Christ. In addition to ongoing leadership in his church, he lived a Christian life in full: kind, selfless, faithful, loving, and humble. His love of the Lord was ever present.
To know Ron was to know a story he told you. He had endless interest in listening and learning and he adored passing on the history of family, community, and the landscape that surrounds us all. Each of our lives are interwoven with threads that he strove to cherish and preserve.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Marian Long and his sister, Nancy Anne Long. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Pat Long of Highwood, children Andy (Grace) Long, Jody (Matt) Bowman, Sarah (Dirk) Sundt, and Lois (Sou Saephan) Long and grandchildren Katy and Jackie Long, Ransom and Morgan Bowman, Sloane and Tate Sundt, and sweet little Arthur Saephan.
A celebration of Ron's life will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, April 30th at the Montana Agricultural Center in Fort Benton, Montana. Interment will follow at the Fort Benton Cemetery. Those who so desire may make donations in memory of Ron to the newly formed Highwood Public School Foundation at 160 West Street South, Highwood, MT 59450, to the Highwood Scholarship Fund at PO Box 31, Highwood, MT 59450, or to a charity of their choosing.
Ron was born February 4, 1940 at Garfield County Hospital in Pomeroy, Washington, the first of four children for Burton and Marian Long. One year later, on Ron's birthday in 1941, the family settled at their new home on the farmlands above Highwood, Montana. Ron grew up to farm that same land until his retirement in 2004.
Ron attended Highwood Schools for all of his grade and high school years, graduating in 1958 alongside six good friends.
Ron moved on to the University of Montana in Missoula for college. He was an active SAE fraternity member and graduated in 1962 with a degree in Business. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the Air National Guard and served part time for 6 years.
Ron and Pat McClain dated throughout their UM college years and were married in 1963 on a hot July day in Fort Benton, Montana. The newlyweds settled on the Highwood Bench, where Ron farmed with his father until Burton's retirement, then continued to maintain the family farm, all while he and Pat raised four well loved children.
Each passing year on the farm strengthened Ron's passion as a steward of the land. Soil conservation, weed and salinity control, experimental crops, and soil acidity were all projects to which he devoted countless hours. His dedication was often recognized; he received honors from the Montana Salinity Control Association and DuPont/NACD Soil Moisture Manager Program and a lifetime achievement award from the Chouteau County Conservation District.
Ron's love of the land extended far beyond farming. He was an avid and adept outdoorsman, bow and rifle hunter, fisherman, explorer, and occasional cowboy. His beloved Shonkin and Highwood mountains were among his favorite places to spend his day, and always better when he could share it with friends or loved ones. His grandchildren will forever treasure their outdoor adventures with Grandad, as he did with them.
Following Ron's retirement from the farm, he and Pat moved into Highwood where a new chapter began and Ron threw his energy and time into new activities. He continued his longtime commitment to the Highwood Volunteer Fire Department, often mentoring and educating volunteers on practices and safety. Building Highwood's Bike-n-Walk Trail was a dogged nine years of volunteer and grunt work with an enormous reward for his community. He was a wonderful neighbor, always reaching out to aid and support those around him.
Ron's life was a testament to his commitment to Christ. In addition to ongoing leadership in his church, he lived a Christian life in full: kind, selfless, faithful, loving, and humble. His love of the Lord was ever present.
To know Ron was to know a story he told you. He had endless interest in listening and learning and he adored passing on the history of family, community, and the landscape that surrounds us all. Each of our lives are interwoven with threads that he strove to cherish and preserve.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Marian Long and his sister, Nancy Anne Long. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Pat Long of Highwood, children Andy (Grace) Long, Jody (Matt) Bowman, Sarah (Dirk) Sundt, and Lois (Sou Saephan) Long and grandchildren Katy and Jackie Long, Ransom and Morgan Bowman, Sloane and Tate Sundt, and sweet little Arthur Saephan.
A celebration of Ron's life will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, April 30th at the Montana Agricultural Center in Fort Benton, Montana. Interment will follow at the Fort Benton Cemetery. Those who so desire may make donations in memory of Ron to the newly formed Highwood Public School Foundation at 160 West Street South, Highwood, MT 59450, to the Highwood Scholarship Fund at PO Box 31, Highwood, MT 59450, or to a charity of their choosing.
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