1943 – 2014

AUBURN — Ronald Stanley Taker, 71, of North Monmouth, died Monday, March 10, at the Hospice House in Auburn after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer.

Ron was born in Lewiston on Feb. 23, 1943, the son of Robert S. and Edith Taker. He attended high school in Mechanic Falls, before serving in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany and was present there when the Berlin Wall was erected. After years of trying his hand at different professions, he opened a franchise, Property Damage Appraisers, that he ran successfully for 25 years, before starting his own company, RST Appraisers.

Ron is remembered as a hardworking man of few words and with a big heart. He was deeply loved by those who knew him.

In his earlier years, Ron enjoyed water skiing, spending time on Tripp Lake with family and friends and was a recreational pilot. He enjoyed playing golf with his father, son and longtime family friend and neighbor, Sandy Porter. One of his favorite pastimes was playing pool with his family or at the American Legion Post No. 150.

He liked working on projects around his home of 35 years, where he was often spotted puttering around the yard on his John Deere tractor. He was always learning and enjoyed watching the Discovery and History channels. He loved animals, watching his children and grandchildren grow, a cold Budweiser and a good joke. He had an amazing ability to make people laugh with his quick-witted humor. He always took care of and brought his family together, and paid special visits to his mother every Saturday.

He is survived by his wife, Sandi Taker. Together they had two children, Ronald “Shawn” Taker and Sara Jane Taker. Shawn and his wife, Jessalynn, provided Ron with two beautiful grandchildren, Hailey Jane Taker and Reese Stanley Taker, and a third child to be named Ronald James, whom is expected to arrive in July. Ron jokingly teased Sara about not giving him any grandchildren, but she has provided him with a fantastic pool partner/rival and deck building partner in her significant other, Christopher Clorite, as well as a grand kitty, Calvin. Ron is also survived by his mother, Edith; his sister, Sherry and her husband, John Malloy, of Auburn; and two brothers, Timothy Taker and wife, Jeanne, of South Carolina and Robert “Tom” Taker of Palermo. Ron has several beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Robert S. Taker; and a sister, Patricia Taker.

To share online memories and offer condolences to his family, visit www.chandlerfunerals.com.