Ronald Lawrence Bellows, 89, passed away peacefully with his family and devoted loving wife of 65 years at his side in his home in Williamsburg, Virginia, on December 18, 2023. He was preceded in death by his mother, Eleanor Cecillia Abrams; his father, Lawrence Bellows; his brothers, Skip & Kenny; and his two infant sisters. Ron is survived by his two loving children and their spouses, Diane Bellows Jobe (Stephen) and Alan Scott Bellows (Eileen). His extended family includes three grandchildren, Jessica Jobe O’Neil (Timothy), Caleb Bellows, and Liam Bellows; his two great-grandchildren, Carter O’Neil and Logan O’Neil.

Ron’s parents were descendants of pioneers who arrived in America in 1837 from Wales and settled on the farmlands in the fertile grounds of the Susquehanna Valley in Pennsylvania. He grew up as the oldest son of three, helping his parents from an early age, working their 200-acre farm, raising cattle, and producing dairy products. He spent his youth attending a rural one-room schoolhouse miles away from the farm and later graduating from Wyalusing Hogh School. He remembered so fondly his years in high school playing on both the basketball and baseball teams. Under the watchful and loving eye of his baseball coach, it was there that his world would take on a major change of course. When the Governor of Pennsylvania wrote and asked his coach if there were any young men in his jurisdiction that he deemed eligible candidates for appointment to the West Point Military Academy, Ron’s name was the one given. Ron attended USMA and graduated with honors. Whatever integrity and diligence he did not learn from his humble youth on the farms, West Point further instilled in him.

At West Point, he would meet the love of his life, Barbara Ann Eckenrode. Ron went on to build a distinguished career with the U.S. Army, all the while with Barbara at his side. The first in his career was graduating from Ft. Rucher’s flight school, where the wings he earned there as a helicopter pilot would follow him throughout most of his future roles. Ron served as a helicopter pilot for three-year-long duties in the Vietnam War, including stations in DaNang, Pleiku, and Saigon. His final duty in Vietnam would make him a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal. Ron later served as a Professor/Instructor to Cadets at West Point, teaching the Science of Solid Mechanics for three years. Ron earned his Masters in Nuclear Fission at Ohio’s Wright-Patterson Air Base and graduated from the War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After retiring as a Colonel, Ron worked as an Engineer at TAI in Hampton, VA., as well as an Engineer Controller of 10 Wind Tunnels at NASA, Langley Research Center.

Ron and Barbara went on to travel the world in a passionate way. They enjoyed visiting almost every continent on the globe. Ron was a loving and generous father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. He will be greatly missed.

Ron’s Memorial Service will be held at Patriot’s Colony, Williamsburg, VA., in the Grand Hall at 11:00 a.m. on January 4, 2024, with a reception to follow until 1:00 p.m.

A Graveside Service will follow on January 4, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Peninsula Memorial Park in Newport News.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that expressions of sympathy be made to either the Wounded Warriors Project, American Cancer Society, Patriot’s Colony Ministry, or Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for all of the kindness and compassion extended to them from the Patriot’s colony Ministry and Staff, as well as from Williamsburg Presbyterian Church and their many close friends.