Dear Blue Ridge Institute Members and Friends,

I am sorry to bring you the sad and shocking news of the passing of our dear friend, Ron L. Logsdon, 2008-09 BRI President.  Ron suffered a massive heart attack this Saturday, December 18, 2010 at his home in Owensboro, Kentucky as he was decorating his home for Christmas.  Please see the news article from the Messenger-Inquirer below that includes details of Ron's life, as well as his significant contributions to his community.

Dennis Hagan, Chief Information Officer at Audubon Area Community Services Inc. and our "BRI Internet Café" Host, informed me that Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 21, 2010 from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Glenn Funeral Home in Owensboro, Kentucky and Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church in Owensboro.  If you are able to attend, it would mean so much to his family.

Ron was a valuable and generous member of BRI --  he just loved the Blue Ridge Institute and being President had always been a specific and special goal for him.  I never knew anybody who loved being President more than Ron.  We can all remember the poignant, focused and extensive "acceptance speech" that he delivered on the Friday after he was elected --- none of us had ever heard him say that much in all the years we had known him!

Ron was a steady presence on the BRI Board for many years and was the best person to preside over the "BRI Move in 2009" from the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina to Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee.  He managed the "Move" with grace, precision, communication and positive expectation.  We thank you and are grateful, Ron.

Ron spearheaded organizing the website.  He was our first BRI "Web Master" and hosted the BRI web-site at his agency, Audubon Area Community Services Inc., for many years.  He and Dennis Hagan, devised, organized and staffed (at no cost to BRI) the first and on-going "BRI Internet Café" at Fall Creek Falls in 2009, which allowed all of us to communicate back home while we navigated getting to know our new location in Tennessee.

I was privileged to participate in the "Roast of Ron" at his Presidential Ball in 2008.  But, I must tell you that all of us who roasted him were a bit concerned about how to "roast' such a proper gentleman.  As always, he was delighted, chuckled in his own way, and thanked us for being kind to him!

The BRI Board meeting was held just a few weeks ago (Dec 2-3) in Atlanta and as Past President, Ron attended.  He postioned himself at the front door of the Sheraton Hotel, with his portfolio in hand, dressed as the southern gentleman with every hair in place, and made sure that he warmly greeted every single Board member as they entered.  That will serve as an endearing image and memory of Ron Logsdon for me.  Be at Peace.

Sincerely,

Mary Jo Monahan,  2010/2011 BRI President