Ron Kable

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Ronald Kable was a strong and steadfast man whose strength and resolve was unwavering. He was selfless when it came to his family, his friends, and his country, and his love and devotion to the people and things he felt passionately about was easy to see. Ron was never one to worry about accumulating wealth or gaining possessions, rather, his focus was on seeing everything he did from start to finish to the best of his ability. A friend of Ron’s was a friend for life, and his zest for life was contagious to all who were near. He will be deeply missed, but the memories he leaves behind will be forever cherished by those who held him near and dear to their hearts.

The 1930s brought us some of the most trying days we have faced as a nation as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs became difficult to come by, which drove the unemployment rate to over 25 percent, leaving families to do whatever they could to make ends meet. Things only went from bad to worse when a drought covered our nation’s heartland for nearly two years, adding strain to an already crippled agricultural industry. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1938 when Charles and Mary (Miller) Kable were filled with great anticipation as they awaited the birth of their new baby as fall covered much of the nation. Their wait was over on November 12th when the baby boy they named Ronald Lee drew his first breath. He was one of three children and the only boy born to his parents, and he was raised in the family home alongside his sisters, Lorraine and Donna.

Two weeks after graduating from high school, Ron entered into the United States Navy. Ron was a superb electronics technician and engineer. He designed and installed temporary systems in helicopters so pre-evaluation helicopter fights for ACLS certifications all over the world could be conducted. Ron made the ACLS work in the F4, F14, A5, A6, A7, and F18. In fact, ACLS landings on initial carrier trials of the F18 aboard the USS Carl Vinson were conducted in a large part to Ron’s ingenuity, a feat that had never been done up until that time. It has been said that he was the stalwart when it came to making their automatic carrier landing systems (ACLS) work. As someone who continued growing in his expertise and experience, Ron was forever present on numerous aircraft carriers all over the country at various naval air stations and on trips abroad to Japan among several other locations.

Over the years, Ron flew several flights as needed, too, primarily in the F-4, and he was always an asset to these missions as well. He was in on the ground floor at PAX River when the Navy began to implement automated carrier landings in the late 1960s. Ron was on board the USS SARATOGA (CV-60) for her entire deployment from 1969 through 1970 as she was the first carrier to receive the new system. Later in the deployment, he was singularly responsible for determining what was wrong with their system when it failed to respond properly in rough seas with the ship's deck moving. To those who knew Ron, it comes as no surprise that he was a true professional in every sense of the word. His pioneering efforts undoubtedly paved the way for aircrews today who enjoy the safety and reliability of a highly successful Automated Carrier Landing System. Ron was a master in understanding the supply system and could work wonders in keeping aircraft in safe flying status. Always the professional and respectful, he simply got the job done. He largely set the bar for those carrying on his work to this day as they perform their duties in supporting the Navy and Marine Corps all over the world. In recognition of his service, Ron was honorably discharged in 1967and honorably retired from the Naval Air Test Center – Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland in 1988.

Ron thoroughly enjoyed his 25 years of retirement! His greatest loves were spending time with Sue, his Apple computer and fly fishing. He joyfully made Sue’s school lunches, dazzled all his visitors with gourmet meals and loved every fly fishing adventure with his son Barney and talking with his son Chris about his children’s favorite interests such as astronomy and horses.

Although he worked hard, Ron Kable played hard, too, and he always had a laugh and a smile ready for everyone he met. He was strong, courageous, and passionate about everything he did, and he was the type of person who did things right the first time. A loyal friend, true patriot, and honorable man in every sense of the word, he will be deeply missed.

Ronald Lee Kable, of Mechanicsville, MD, died on March 14, 2015, at Georgetown University Hospital, in Washington, DC. Ron is survived by his partner, Susan Albertson; sons: Christopher Kable and Barney (Kristl) Kable; grandchildren: McKenna and Christopher; sisters: Lorraine (Robert) Kable Houser and Donna Kable Pearson. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary (Miller) Kable. Visit with family and friends while sharing food and refreshments on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900). Following the visitation, graveside services will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Please visit Ron’s personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo of him and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.