Ronald "Ron" Abderhalden

Ronald (Ron) Abderhalden was unique beyond measure. Born in Surabaya, Java, when Indonesia was under Dutch rule, Ron and his older sister, Sylvia, enjoyed a lovely childhood until the Japanese occupied Indonesia. Ron, Sylvia and their mom, Lucy, were placed in a concentration camp, while their father, Karl, was separated from them. Though the war ended, the Indonesians held them captive for a few more years. Once released, the family moved to Amsterdam. Karl had contracted TB during the war and soon died, so Lucy raised the two children on her own. Ron earned his degree in mechanical engineering from Hogere Technische School in Amsterdam. With the help of a sponsor, he moved to America in his early 20s. He studied at Texas A&M and earned a master’s in mathematics from Wichita State University. He worked for Continental Oil and Yates Engineering before starting his own petroleum drilling and engineering company, RRA, Inc., which he owned and operated successfully until retiring at age 88. Above all, he'll be remembered as an honest, hard-working businessman who loved his family more than life itself.

 Ron adored his big sis, Sylvia. Oh, the stories he would tell! Even during their last visit together (Sylvia lived in England), they howled with laughter as they reminisced. That trip included a much-needed stop in Amsterdam, where he reunited with his lifelong best friend, Eric (Fien) Linscheer. Again, their laughter rattled the rafters.

 Ron met the love of his life, Sherrana Anderson, on a tennis court in Wichita’s Riverside Park. Their first date was at El Charro. He proposed three times before she said yes. With Ron’s mom and aunt as witnesses, they married in Denver and honeymooned in Breckenridge and Aspen. They raised three daughters, traveled the world and loved to call Wichita home.

 Ron was a true Renaissance man: He was a master historian, spoke four languages, loved to cook, played the clarinet and saxophone, enjoyed golfing and fishing and played his beloved tennis well into his 80s. He delivered Meals on Wheels for years and was a generous philanthropist. 

 Ron will be forever missed and always remembered with mountains of love by all who were lucky enough to know him — and the list is long.

 Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Lucy Abderhalden, and his sister, Sylvia (Ivan) Alexy. He is survived by his wife, Sherrana, of Wichita; daughters Sherri Hancock, Renee (Jim) Phillips and Sheila (Steve — fiancé) Keaton, all of Wichita; grandchildren Andrea (Michael) Mashburn and Ryan (Eli) Hancock, both of Dallas, Courtney Phillips of Topeka, and Abby and Molly Krehbiel, both of Wichita; and great-grandchildren Chase and Reese Mashburn of Dallas.

­A celebration of life is forthcoming. Memorial contributions can be made to: Meals On Wheels, 200 S. Walnut, Wichita, KS  67213. Share condolences at www.cozine.com. Arrangements by Cozine Memorial Group-Broadway Mortuary.