HARTFORD CITY, IN-- Ronald Luther Clamme, 88, died quietly in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 30, 2026-with the sort of quiet, private timing he might just have planned himself.

Ron was born December 29, 1937, in Blackford County, Indiana, the son of Luther William Clamme and Martha Elizabeth Brose. He was a proud big brother to Larry and to his little “sista” Marsha Ayers.

Ron’s love of flying began in childhood, when the sight of an airplane overhead sparked a lifelong ambition to become a pilot. And fly he did. After graduating from Capital University and Air Force ROTC, Ron served 23 years in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was an instructor pilot, spent three years as a squadron commander at the United States Air Force Academy, and deployed to Vietnam, where he flew more than 270 missions as an F-4 fighter pilot. He rarely spoke about Vietnam or about losing his best friend, Parker McKnight there. Military life took Ron, his first wife Tina Goebel, and their three children, Shanda, Cheryl and Ron, across the country.

Ron was deeply proud of his Blackford County roots. He loved the stories of the Clamme family and spent countless hours tracing his family history back to his great-grandfather, early Blackford County settler Pierre Clamme.

Later in life, Ron married Robin Genovese and returned to Indiana and the family farm, investing himself in the community he loved. He was active in church, politics, public safety, and community service. He helped establish Project Lifesaver in Indiana, helped develop TRIAD locally to connect senior citizens, law enforcement, and the business community, and served as campaign treasurer for Kevin Mahan’s run for the Indiana House of Representatives. He brought integrity and conviction to it all.

Ron loved antiques and had an even greater enthusiasm for guns - lots of guns. He enjoyed target shooting and was particularly proud of winning a shooting competition. Time with his shooting friends was filled with rare guns, rare stories, and a shared enthusiasm that left an impression on others.

Ron wasn’t much of a talker, particularly when it came to feelings, and some of his best stories apparently went to his friends instead of his family. But the way he showed up for people spoke volumes. Ron was feisty, opinionated, adventurous, and never particularly shy about politics. He served his country. He served his community. He stood beside his friends. He loved his family.

Ron is survived by his wife, Robin; his children, Shanda (Eldon), Cheryl (Fred), Ron (Sharon); Robin’s daughter, Susan (Richard); his sister Marsha Ayers; his grandchildren, Christian (Annalaura), Jonathan (Jessica), Jason, Todd (Kami), Violet (Jonathon), and Domingo; his great-grandchildren: Eli, Adrian, and Julianna.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther William Clamme and Martha Elizabeth Brose, and his younger brother, Larry Lee Clamme.

Services honoring Ron will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5th in Waters Funeral Home, Hartford City, with burial immediately following at Hartford City Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be rendered by the Wright-Patterson Honor Guard of the USAF and the Delaware County Veterans Organization.

Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. Saturday, at the funeral home until the service begins at 1:00. Memorials (instead of flowers) are emphatically encouraged to be sent in Ron’s memory to the Blackford County Animal Shelter, 2520 N 200 E Hartford City, Indiana 47348