Closely connected to Penn State University, the Village at Penn State is home to numerous alumni who are thrilled to live just around the corner from their beloved alma mater. For resident Ron, Penn State University is especially meaningful because it holds wonderful memories of his athletic career, and of course, because the university is where he met his wife, Hope.

Ron and Hope have lived at the Village for 20 years and they have enjoyed revisiting Penn State’s campus throughout that time.

Whether it be for football games and other sports, lectures led by accomplished Penn State professors, concerts, or theater, they feel grateful to spend their later years in the beautiful and exciting State College region where their relationship first began.

“There were many happy times for Ron throughout his Penn State years, including playing on the soccer team. That led to many great experiences for him. But I hope he will say that the most wonderful thing about Penn State was meeting me,” Hope laughs.

“Yes, that was the best part,” Ron agrees.

BECOMING A PART OF THE TEAM: RON JOINS THE PSU SOCCER TEAM

While studying at PSU, Ron played on the varsity soccer team for two years.

“I had never played real soccer before, but I was playing intramural soccer just for fun, and Coach Bill Jeffrey sometimes would come to watch some of our games. He apparently liked what he saw, so he came up to me after the game and asked if I’d like to play on the Penn State team,“ Ron recalls.

“So when Fall came around, I thought to myself, I thought I’d give it a try. So, I tried out for the team and I guess the coach liked what he saw. Coach Jeffrey asked me if I could catch a ball, and I told him yes. He then told me to get in the goal and stop any ball that comes my way.”

And that’s what he did. Ron began playing goal keeper for the PSU team and, during his first season, the team was undefeated.

“The team first goalie would play the first half of the game and I would play the second half,” he explains, referring to his teammate.”The next year, I was the first team goalie.”

In Ron’s senior year, the State Department sent the Penn State soccer team on a Goodwill trip to Iran.

“That had to be the highlight of his college career,” Hope says.

Ron chuckled and said “No, it was meeting my wife!”

ATTENDING THE 1956 OLYMPICS

Four days after graduation from Penn State, Ron joined the US Air Force and became a pilot— he flew the tanker aircraft that refueled jet bombers in mid-air, all over the world. The last five years of his Air Force career he flew C130 aircraft in Japan and Southeast Asia.

In 1956, five years into his Air Force career, he was fortunate to be selected for the US Olympic Team with a trip to the Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. The US State Department sent the team on a Goodwill tour of the Far East, where they played games in many countries in the Far East on the way to Melbourne. During the game in Hong Kong, he was kicked, resulting in a broken ankle. So he was unable to play in the Olympic Games, but he was taken along with the team.

“Many exciting things happened in our lives during my Air Force career, but I decided to retire after 23 years and 4 days. I had spent a lot of time away from my family,” he adds.

While Ron was serving his country, Hope helped raise their four sons, living in many places throughout the years.

“By the time we moved to the Village, it was our 20th move since we’ve been married,” Hope shares.

Hope is originally from State College, and the couple knew it would be a wonderful place for their retirement. When they first discovered that the Village was being built, they knew this community was perfect for their future.

MOVING TO THE VILLAGE AT PENN STATE

Living at the Village for 20 years, Hope and Ron have thoroughly enjoyed the many friendships they have made.

“We’ve met so many wonderful people since moving here. The residents who live here and the wonderful people who work here are just spectacular,” Hope affirms.

And Hope especially enjoys the community’s five star dining.

“With four big sons who were all football players at Penn State, I did a lot of cooking through the years,” she notes. “The food here is fantastic and it’s just so nice that I don’t have to worry about cooking every night,” she says.

In addition to their many friendships and gourmet meals, Ron and Hope have, of course, enjoyed being so close the University that they know and love.

“We’ve gone to football game and other sports, shows, lectures, concerts and more for years. We’d just hop on the Village bus and we’re there!” Hope shares.

“Now that we’re a bit older we watch the games on TV, but it’s still great fun… and much cheaper,” Ron laughs.

For Hope and Ron, living at the Village also means having the comfort and security of long-term care.

“Ron’s mother used to live in a memory care community and she suffered from dementia. Our children are scattered all across the country, so we wanted to live in a place that we know we’d be taken care of throughout our lifetime,” Hope explains.

“At the Village we have no worries. Everything is taken care of for us. And our children don’t have to worry about us either. They are thrilled that we live here,” Ron expresses.

“When they first visited us here, they were amazed by how gorgeous this community is,” Hope adds.

Living a worry-free, convenient lifestyle in beautiful State College, Ron and Hope continue to enjoy all that The Village has to offer.