ROCKPORT – Beloved husband, father, friend and teacher, Ronald L. “Ron” Dupler Sr., 69, passed away March 10, 2007, surrounded by family at his home, succumbing to a lengthy illness from the after effects of a cardiac arrest, which occurred August 2005. Born July 9, 1937, in Hershey, Pa., he was the son of Ralph and Helen (Crotsley) Dupler. Ron spent his childhood years growing up in Pennsylvania. After graduating high school from Three Springs High School, Pennsylvania, Ron joined the U.S. Air Force, where he proudly served for 10 years. Ron rose to the rank of staff sergeant and served as a bomb naval systems and radar technician on B-52s. During his years of service, Ron was stationed in Machias, Westover, Mass., and Denver. After leaving the Air Force in 1965, Ron worked as an engineer for companies such as McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis; General Dynamics, Quincy, Mass., and Raytheon, Burlington, Mass. During his engineering career, Ron worked on projects related to defense systems technology. He also worked in electronic sales at Pelion Corporation, Saugus, Mass. In 1974, Ron left engineering and began a career in hotel management at the Chalet Suisse International, Wilton, N.H. In 1977 he acquired West Village Motel and Cabins, Brattleboro, Vt., which he owned and operated until relocating to Rockport in 1983. Ron loved Rockport, the central Maine Coast and surrounding islands. He was known locally as “the Island Hopper” or “Dupe” because he taught on Monhegan, Vinalhaven, North Haven, Isleboro and Isle au Haut. Ron founded Standard of Care in 1984, which was a business dedicated to training emergency medical procedures to future EMT’s, health care professionals and personnel working for area corporations and state agencies. In 1987, he began driving with Ace Ambulance. In 1989, he began his emergency medical service career by becoming a basic EMT. In 1990 Ron went on to become an EMT intermediate, while working with Seacoast Ambulance. In 1993 Ron became an EMS instructor coordinator for the Mid Coast area, while also working for Camden first aid for 11 years, followed by Sterling Ambulance Service. After becoming an American heart instructor for CPR, AED and first aid, Ron has educated at least 2000 students throughout Maine, including over 400 employees at the Maine State Prison. As an instructor trainer, he educated others to become American heart instructors in CPR, AED and first aid. Ron was a board member of Mid Coast EMS Council and Executive Committee. Ron loved his work and was extremely fond of the great people he worked with and taught in this field. Ron had a great passion for this profession and worked in the emergency health care field until his illness in 2005. In November 2006 Ron was inducted into the EMS Hall of Fame for his leadership, education, dedication and innovation, which has made EMS in Maine what it is today. Ron led a full and robust life and was fortunate to experience three loves, his first wife, Claire, with whom he had four children; his second wife, Letitia, who predeceased him in 1997 and with whom he had a daughter; and his present wife, Susan, who Ron married in 2002. Susan cared closely for Ron during his illness and provided dedicated and loving support until his recent death. Ron leaves behind a loving network of family and friends. Surviving is his mother, Helen Crotsley Hamilton of Three Springs, Pa.; his loving wife and friend, Susan Young Dupler of Rockport; his children, Ronald L. Dupler Jr. and his wife, Gail, of Hollis, N.H.; Charles F. Dupler and his wife, Felicia, of Langdon, N.H.; Christine M. Rotenburg and her husband, Chad, of Nashua, N.H.; Melissa A. Lord and her partner, Sarah Lingeman, of Dunstable, Mass.; Tonia E. Harris and her husband, Todd, of Monmouth; brothers, Craig Hamilton and his partner, Carol Blough, of Jannerstown, Pa.; Richard Hamilton and his wife, Annalee, of Three Springs, Pa.; Ralph Dupler Jr. of Dallas; sisters, Barbara Bashore and her husband, Ralph, of Mifflintown, Pa., and Nancy Desiderati of Tempe, Ariz.; 14 grand-children, Ronald Dupler III, Nathaniel Dupler, Eric Dupler, Ashley Lord, Courtney Lord, Stephanie Lord, Gabriella Dupler, Guliana Dupler, Emily Dupler, Jessica Dupler, Jillian Haris, Katie Harris; Olivia Harris and Chase Rotenburgh. He was predeceased by his father, Ralph Dupler; grandparents, Charles and Viola Crotsley; and an aunt, Pauline Shope. He will be missed by all. Ron’s family would like to celebrate his life and share in memorializing his passing at a wake to be held 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden. The funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, Camden, with the Rev. Arthur Pechillo officiating. A reception will be held after the service in the grand ballroom at the Samoset Resort. Memorial donations may be made in Ron’s memory to the Ronald L. Dupler Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, Mid-Coast EMS, P.O. Box 610, Union, ME 04862.
RONALD L. DUPLER SR.
