Ron Goldsmith, 92, of Oskaloosa, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.
Ron Louis Goldsmith, son of Norman Frederick and Mabel Luella (Buckley) Goldsmith, was born January 17, 1933, in Clarence, Iowa. He grew up on the family’s Cedar County farm, where he, his brother, and his sister learned to work and play hard. Ron was a 1950 Clarence High School graduate who excelled in the classroom and on the playing field. He had a beautiful voice from an early age; his talents allowed him to compete in music and sports at the state level. After high school, he enrolled in Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University; besides his course load, Ron played the trombone in the ISU Marching Band. While in college, he married Dorothy Horn, and they lived in married student housing in Pammel Court. After receiving his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1956, Ron joined a practice in Dysart, Iowa; from there, he practiced in Clarence, and in 1960, he joined Darrell Cochrane and, later, Martin Roepke at Mahaska Vet. Clinic in Oskaloosa. Ron served the farms of the surrounding area for 40 years. He had a great work ethic; he led by example and was admired and respected by many. He was known for his dedication and compassion for the farmers and animals.
Ron and Dorothy raised their four sons in Oskaloosa and later divorced. On December 26, 1987, he married Mary Lill McGregor at the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa. He was an active member of his church, sharing his early love of singing in the choir with his church family and singing with his brother Gary. He was a member of the Iowa Trust and Savings Bank board of trustees and served as its president until the conclusion of his term. Ron also enjoyed golf and, on two occasions, scored a hole-in-one. He was a voracious reader and consumed volumes of the great works of renowned authors. Attending his grandchildren’s activities was a delight for Ron. In his retirement, he and Mary enjoyed traveling and wintering at the Fountain of the Sun Development in Mesa, Arizona.
His family includes his wife, Mary of Oskaloosa; four sons: Terry Goldsmtih of Portage, WI, Scott (Leann) Goldsmith of Grimes, IA, Douglas (Rich) Goldsmith of Palm Springs, CA, and Michael (Anne) Goldsmith of Castle Rock, CO; step-children: Jerry (Janice) Reese of Davenport, IA, Nancy Cummings of Oskaloosa, Michael (Anne) Reese of Wheaton, IL, and Janet Reese of Oskaloosa; with his extended blended family, he was blessed with 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by a sister, Joyce Yutesler, and a brother, Gary.
A Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Langkamp Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Mahaska Health Foundation for the Hospice Serenity House.
