IN MEMORIAM: Ronald Luettger, 58;

Retired 25-Year Teacher At Unatego

ONEONTA – Ronald Luettger, 58, retired 25-year teacher in the Unatego Central School District, passed away Monday, May 29, 2017.

Ronald was born on Dec. 29, 1958 in Brooklyn, the son of Franz and Elke (Schumacher) Luettger. He grew up on Long Island, graduating from North Babylon Senior High School, where he was active in jazz bands and track, holding the half-mile track record for many years. Outside of school he was active in boy scouts and church youth group. Following high school, Ronald attended SUNY Oneonta.

It was there that he met the love of his life, Doree (Houlihan). They were married on Aug. 19, 1979. In 1981, Ronald earned his B.A. in Elementary Education. Ronald and Doree then moved to Virginia, where they taught for two years and enjoyed the beautiful Virginia beaches. They then returned to New York and Ronald worked with his father in his construction business, Econ Enterprises, Inc.

In 1984, Ronald and Doree returned to Oneonta to start their family and return to teaching. Ronald taught at Bainbridge-Guilford Elementary School for six years and then the Unatego School District for 24 years, retiring in 2014. He was the Safety Patrol Adviser for many years, taking students on many Washington D.C. trips. He also worked for state Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation for 25 years, as a lifeguard first and then a water safety supervisor.

Upon their move back to Oneonta, Ronald and Doree returned to their church, Main Street Baptist Church of Oneonta. Ronald attended MSBC for almost 40 years, walking with God through all of life’s blessings and challenges. For 16 years he was the audio-visual engineer. He also participated in and supported out-reach ministries, including the annual bike trip and missions trips. Ronald joined mission trips to Ecuador and Nicaragua.

Ronald lived a life of Christian servitude to family, friends and his community — always giving of his time and talents. He will be remembered for his giving spirit, sense of humor, and total enjoyment and pride in raising his sons.

Ronald is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Doree; his son, Kenny and his wife, Amber of Saranac Lake; his son, Christopher, his wife, Morgan and granddaughter, Aubrey of Sanford, NC; his mother-in-law, Catherine Houlihan of West End, NC; children of his heart Greg Eaton and his wife Carin of Oneonta,  and Kaitlyn Parsons and her husband Stephen of Haver Hill, MA; brothers, Frank of Norfolk, VA and Mark, and his wife, Miki of Otego; sister, Ramona of Oneonta; as well as nieces and nephews, Erica, Matthew, Kristin, Justin, April, Laura and Cody. He was predeceased by his parents, Franz and Elke Luettger and father-in-law, Jack Houlihan.

Calling hours will be Friday June 2, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed directly by a Celebration of Life Service — all at Main Street Baptist Church, 333 Main Street, Oneonta NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Missions Door, 2530 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80205 or the Main Street Baptist Church Missions Fund 333 Main Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home in Oneonta is assisting the family.