Ronald Poulton

RONALD J. POULTON (RON), age 81, passed away surrounded by his family in White Rock, New Mexico on Friday, May 10, 2024 after a 9-year battle with cancer caused by Agent Orange exposure during his service in the Vietnam War.

Ron was born in Vineland, New Jersey on November 14th, 1942 to the lateGeorge and Barbara (Kantz) Poulton and raised in Bridgeton, New Jersey by his single mother and later with his stepfather, Frank Schaffer (both deceased).

He joined the U.S. Air Force at seventeen and served for over 26 years. He served 14 of those years overseas with tours in England, Spain, Southwest Asia, Africa, and Germany, where he met his wife of 60 years, Ilse (Neumann) Poulton.

Ron earned the Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service medals, Air Force Commendation and Air Force Achievement medals, and over 25 other awards and medals while mentoring and inspiring “his troops” during his years of service.

The highlight of Ron’s military career was his four years stationed at the United States Air Force Academy where he was Superintendent of the Structures Branch of the Civil Engineering Squadron.

He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant before being employed at Radford University in Virginia by the Facilities Management Department as a Buildings and Grounds Superintendent. Upon retiring from Radford University, Ron and his wife moved to North Carolina. From there, they continued their love of travel whether on cruises, to the mountains, or at the beach with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Ilse, daughter Michele, and son John, all of White Rock, New Mexico; grandchildren Katja Fitz (Andre) and Mackenna Fitz of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Cameron Poulton, US Navy Port Hueneme, California; sisters Kathy King and Gail Bernard of Bellingham, Washington; Deb Arneson and Lorri Taylor of Sterling, Illinois, and Peggy Dill of Harker Heights, Texas; and brother Drew Bernard of Kenya, Africa.

The Poulton family gives a special thank you to Dr. Glendon Cook for his care and compassion. Thanks also to Dr. Fei Gu and nurse Crystal Valdez, nurse Kathy at the Los Alamos Medical Center Infusion Center, and Los Alamos Visiting Nurses Hospice staff, especially nurse Melissa.

Please consider donating in memory of Ron to St. Jude’s Childrens’ Hospital, The Gary Sinise Foundation in support of disabled veterans, or in Ron’s words: “Do something nice to help a stranger.”

The United States Air Force and American Legion Post 22 will provide full military honors for Mr. Poulton’s burial at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Thursday, May 23, at 10 a.m.

Rivera Family Funeral Home of Los Alamos and the Poulton family encourage all who knew and loved Ron to share stories, pictures, and condolences on Ron’s memorial page at www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com