Ron Dinwiddie was the type of kid who was bullied - yes, that happened even way back in our generation. I got to know him a little when I was student director for the Jefferson Jr High 9th grade play. He was cast in a role perfect for him - wore a pith helmet & carried a butterfly net. Unfortunately, he thought everyone was laughing at him rather than at the character. Ultimately, he took his own life during our sophmore year. Sad story.
Ron was at my house for dancing parties while I was at East. He was a really nice kid. We were kind to him and he met a girl that he was fond of. I'm not sure if he went to the TV show (like Bandstand) that we had locally at WTVO for Coca Cola or not. We all had some good times back then. We all were surprised when we heard the tragic news. We did have some other teen deaths that we lived thru back then.
After all these years I continue to remember and think about Ron Dinwiddle. I came to know him well and had some sense of his inner turmoil. Most of this was caused by the bullying he experienced at school and I remember doing what I could do to protect him from that, but it wasn't much. I have wondered what I might have done to prevent his suicide and hope that the kind of bullying he so regularly experienced will no longer be tolerated. Peace to Ron's memory until the Resurrection Morning. Paul Harris
I remember Ron very well. I agree with the comments that Ron was bullied. We all saw it and could have stepped in, but we didn't. Ron was an an accomplished actor in school plays. When he took his life, all of us were shocked and probably sensed that perhaps we could have been a better friend to him. The fact that we are having this discussion 63 years later is a testament to the impact that Ron's death has had on many. It's never to late to reach out to a person in need or to provide a word of encouragement . It's so easy to be nice and generous and yet we are too busy on our iPhone or social media to take notice of those in need or better yet stepping forward to offer a helping hand and a kind word. As a grandparent and great grandparent, we should share this experience with our grandchildren to point out that bulling is not victimless and as parents one day they will not want their children being bullied . I thought the comments y my classmates were on target and we all wished we could have been a better friend to Ron....Jim Ramsey
.jpg)
9th Grade picture .png)
Ginger Rylander (Brei)
Ron Dinwiddie was the type of kid who was bullied - yes, that happened even way back in our generation. I got to know him a little when I was student director for the Jefferson Jr High 9th grade play. He was cast in a role perfect for him - wore a pith helmet & carried a butterfly net. Unfortunately, he thought everyone was laughing at him rather than at the character. Ultimately, he took his own life during our sophmore year. Sad story.
Janet Geiger (Currier)
I remember Ron too. I wish I had reached out to him more. What a loss.
Laura Bloomquist (Blomquist) (Hellman)
I really remember Ron. We were in a play together. Had something to do with the Melipius Umbellis Umbellis (a bird). Way sad!
Laura Bloomquist (Blomquist) (Hellman)
Nope! A butterfly! Not a bird.
Pearl Carlstrom (Knoll)
Ron was at my house for dancing parties while I was at East. He was a really nice kid. We were kind to him and he met a girl that he was fond of. I'm not sure if he went to the TV show (like Bandstand) that we had locally at WTVO for Coca Cola or not. We all had some good times back then. We all were surprised when we heard the tragic news. We did have some other teen deaths that we lived thru back then.
Paul Harris
After all these years I continue to remember and think about Ron Dinwiddle. I came to know him well and had some sense of his inner turmoil. Most of this was caused by the bullying he experienced at school and I remember doing what I could do to protect him from that, but it wasn't much. I have wondered what I might have done to prevent his suicide and hope that the kind of bullying he so regularly experienced will no longer be tolerated. Peace to Ron's memory until the Resurrection Morning. Paul Harris
Jim Ramsey
I remember Ron very well. I agree with the comments that Ron was bullied. We all saw it and could have stepped in, but we didn't. Ron was an an accomplished actor in school plays. When he took his life, all of us were shocked and probably sensed that perhaps we could have been a better friend to him. The fact that we are having this discussion 63 years later is a testament to the impact that Ron's death has had on many. It's never to late to reach out to a person in need or to provide a word of encouragement . It's so easy to be nice and generous and yet we are too busy on our iPhone or social media to take notice of those in need or better yet stepping forward to offer a helping hand and a kind word. As a grandparent and great grandparent, we should share this experience with our grandchildren to point out that bulling is not victimless and as parents one day they will not want their children being bullied . I thought the comments y my classmates were on target and we all wished we could have been a better friend to Ron....Jim Ramsey