Ronald L. Forsythe
Ronald L. Forsythe, 71, of California, Pa., died Saturday, September 16, 2006, in Uniontown Hospital. He was born February 19, 1935, in West Brownsville, Pa., the youngest child of the late James and Bessie (Snyder) Forsythe.
A life-long lover of baseball, Ron pitched in the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers organization from 1955-60 before leaving professional sports for academia. During the mid 60’s, Ron joined the Peace Corps and taught English in Nigeria for 27 months. After returning to the States, he attended North Dakota State University, receiving his Masters Degree in 1968. He and his new bride returned to California, Pa., and he began his long career as a professor at California University of Pennsylvania that same year. His charisma and maverick teaching approach made him a perennial favorite among students; upon his retirement from the University in 2004 he was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus. He spent the last years of his life at home writing short stories.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Willis, Robert, and Carl Forsythe; and one sister, Carol Firestone.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 38 years, Cherryl (Swenson) Forsythe, and their two sons: Aaron and wife Anne Forsythe of Renton, Wa., and Neil Forsythe of California, Pa.; and three sisters: Charlotte “Sis” and husband Mahlon “Mac” Pritts of Lowhill, Pa., Marsha and husband Harris Earl of Brooksville, Fl., and Lola and husband Tom Hill of Waynesburg, Pa. Also surviving is his granddaughter, Athena Forsythe of Renton, Wa., and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received in the MARISCOTTI FUNERAL HOME, INC., Anthony N. Mariscotti, Supervisor, 323 Fourth Street, California, Pa., on Monday, September 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2006, when services will be held in the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park.