Ronald Ernest Bump, USAF (Retired)

April 1, 1937 – October 18, 2022

Ronald Ernest Bump, (Ron, Ronnie, or just Bump), 85, of Blackfoot, Idaho passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at his home, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Ronald was born April 1, 1937, in Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania to Harry Ward Bump and Eva Goldsmith Bump.

Ron grew up in Shinglehouse Pennsylvania. Here, he attended his elementary years in a one room schoolhouse. Even though it was a small one room school, Ron’s imagination and love of a great time, and often practical jokes were allowed to flourish and grow to grand schemes in life. He was often in trouble, and usually one of the first to laugh or draw attention to himself as the culprit in some form of transgression. Ron loved adventures and often spun stories of his friends, pranks, and general fun-loving risk-taking activities. It was throughout the years in Shinglehouse that Ron developed a knack for hunting and fishing and these skills would lead to some of his great stories later on in life.

Shortly after graduating, Ronald received greetings from Uncle Sam, as in the form of the draft. Never to be one to be told what to do, but also knowing it was important to serve his country, Ron took the decision into his own hands and joined the United States Air Force and served for over 22 years, including several tours in Vietnam as a gunner on a “Jolly Green” helicopter. It was during this time he learned that he should sit on his bullet proof vest, so as to avoid taking a bullet where the sun does not shine. Unfortunately, his helicopter was shot down, and Ron sustained multiple injuries in Viet Nam.

On June 19, 1961, Ron married Valyene Thompson. Ron and Valyene had two children, Melissa and Michael. They were later divorced.

In 1972 Ron was introduced to the love of his life, Marilyn Peterson by some mutual friends in Boise, Idaho. They were later married on May 4, 1973, on the Mountain Home Air Force Base. During this time Ron and Marilyn had two children, Lori and Brenda. Shortly after, Ron retired from the United States Air Force and the family briefly moved back to Ron’s hometown of Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania, and then decided to relocate to Blackfoot, Idaho.

After moving to Blackfoot, Ron secured a position with the City of Blackfoot as a part time employee for the parks department. Ron then took a full-time position with the City of Blackfoot’s Streets department. Ron dedicated 19 years of service to the City of Blackfoot and retired from there on April 30, 1998.

During this time Ron was usually out and about, doing what he enjoyed most, spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. Ron enjoyed teaching everything he could to others about fishing and hunting, and these moments were spent laughing, crying, occasionally cursing, but usually a story was always going to be involved. He spent many hours telling the tales of his adventures, drinking coffee at B&B Bait shop in Blackfoot. Here, he met many friends new and old, and built lifelong bonds with many people. He also spent time doing a little taxidermy as a hobby, mostly for himself but occasionally for a few neighbors and friends as well.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Marilyn, children Melissa Moss, Michael Bump, of Red Deer, Alberta, Lori and (Howard) Reader of Santa Clarita, California, and Brenda Lee Gerdes-Bump, nieces Ruthanne Sorter and Vicki Lee, nephews Brian Bump and Alan Bump, grandchildren, Chris Moss, Toni Cornish, Cole Bump, Joshua Gerdes, Mckenzie Gerdes, Jordan Reader and Marissa Gerdes and great grandchildren, Zelda, Donaven, Mateo and Ariel. Ron was preceded in death by his parents Harry Ward Bump and Eva Goldsmith Miracle, and stepdad George Miracle, sister Reba Pearl (Bump) Siebert, brother Robert Bump and niece, Shirley Roush.

Ron will be deeply missed by all those that knew and loved him. He will no longer be sitting on the porch, smoking his pipe, waving at those driving by, or carrying on simple greetings to those walking or riding their bikes. However, memories of his stories, compassion and kindness to others will be remembered by all. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday October 26, 2022, at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Ave. in Blackfoot. A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Hawker Funeral Home and again an hour prior to the services. Graveside services will follow the funeral and be held at the Riverside-Thomas Cemetery, and military honors will be performed under the direction of American Legion Stewart Hoover Post #23.