Ronald M. Neufeld

Ronald M. Neufeld, lovingly known as Sleepy Ron by his family for his habit of falling asleep on benches throughout the world, has taken his final nap. Ever the gentleman, he waited until January 1 so that his calendar obsessed wife and memory challenged daughter would have no problem remembering the date.

Despite having been written off by doctors a few times over the decades, Ron was a stubborn man, and refused to go. Indeed, one has the impression that he simply did not believe in dying, and he continued to live fully until the moment he became not alive.

Born May 18, 1933 in the Bronx, Ronald was a veteran of the US Army during the Korean War. He graduated Columbia University, and went on to receive his MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he later taught International Marketing. He spent most of his career as Hudson Valley Director of the NYS Dept. of Economic Development. A lifelong student of history, he was a decades-long member of the Brigade of the American Revolution and on weekends could often be found chasing redcoats with his rifle across a field in his meticulously authentic frock and britches. In his retirement, Ron was an active part of Rhinebeck’s community, he was a Mason, and involved with the Historical Society, Rhinebeck at Home and Bard’s Lifetime Learning Institution.

It was on a sunny beach of Fire Island in 1966 that Ron found Ann, his perfect partner in life and love, in intellect and curiosity, in adventure and routine and adversity and triumph and grief and joy. Married for 55 years, Ron retired early in order to travel the world with Ann, and together, they pursued their love of art and music in museums and theaters as they circled the globe, literally.

Ron will be missed by Ann, and by his daughter Jennifer Neufeld, son-in-law Jamyang Lodoe, grandchildren Khedup and Jasmina Lodoe, sister-in-law Mary Leferovich and nephew Doug Leferovich, and scores of friends and loved ones around the world, from New York to London to Kathmandu. Ron will be buried next to his beloved son, Daniel Andrew Neufeld.

Memorial donations in his honor can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or your favorite charity.

A celebration of Ronald’s life will be held at his home when weather permits at a later date. 

Arrangements under the direction of the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home, Rhinebeck, NY. 

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