Ronald Odlin Browne - June 22, 1933 to Oct 4, 2021

Son of Kenneth and Harriet Browne, born in Glen Rock, NJ. Loved by many including his wife Celia, surviving sister Jackie, deceased sisters Bev and Carol, his sons Doug (deceased), Steve, Duff and Dana, step-daughters Kim and Pam, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He had a brilliant mind for engineering, problem solving and fixing the un-fixable; the original MacGyver, you might say. He was always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor or friend, especially if it involved repairing something.  His involvement in projects was diverse including Eveready Batteries, razor blade and surgical blade sharpening lines, glass boxes, cheesecake slicers, guitar tuners, therapy chairs, flush outhouse equipment and innovative long-lasting flower blooms. He developed numerous pieces of machinery that solved real world problems and held several patents for design innovations throughout his years in industry and in running his own Engineering firm. One of his passions, besides design engineering and sailing (in his younger years), was flying. He owned and flew numerous aircraft over the years and participated in aerial activities for the Santa Barbara County Sherriff's Aero Squadron in CA. He and Celia enjoyed traveling around the country, sometimes taking his own plane to get there.  They also visited many countries including parts of Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland, England, France, Germany, and Italy. His happiest years, most recently, were living with his wife Celia and their various Shih Tzu dogs in the house he built at Eagles Nest Aero Park, an aviation community in Waynesboro, VA, where homeowners could fly into the airport and taxi right to a hangar at their house. We will miss you and wish you clear skies.

A memorial service will be conducted at 3:30 pm on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at McDow Funeral Home, Waynesboro, VA.  Rev. Greg Tyree will be officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm at the funeral home.

Inurnment will be at 2:00 pm, Monday, October 11, 2021 at Augusta Memorial Park, Waynesboro.  Fellow aviators are conducting a flyover mission, executing the "Missing Man Formation" in honor of Ron.