Ronald L. Lottridge
September 13, 1934 - March 5, 2019

"This message comes well over a year late because of my own health battles, but I wanted to extend my belated sympathy at the loss of such a fine teacher. Algebra was always a challenge for me, so I wasn?t one of his best students, but my admiration and respect for Mr. Lottridge and the job he did, will always be a warm memory from my time at North Junior. I remember riding my bicycle past his house while in high school, not knowing that that is where he lived. He saw me and went outside with his son to greet me. He seemed very happy to talk to me about my future plans and where I was going to go to college. He was holding his young son Eddie at the time, and I remembered how happy he looked. My belated sympathy to his wife and children, and all of those who loved him. My respect and admiration for Ronald Lottidge could not go deeper."

" I would like to send my sympathies to Mr. Lottridge?s family. I want you to know that Mr. Lottridge was my favorite teacher, and I still remember him so well 46 years later. I truly appreciated his well prepared lessons and enthusiasm, as he taught us algebra in 9th grade at North Junior High School in 1972-3. Furthermore, his outstanding algebra class provided a sound foundation for my career as a computer systems analyst. Mr. Lottridge would give us additional practice exercises to get us ready for the standardized algebra tests. The extra work and encouragement were a great help not only for our immediate test scores, but also for our future use of algebra. He also gave us time during the home room period to discuss issues to be presented before the student council. Mr. Lottridge had a great sense of humor and a good rapport with his students, and I really enjoyed laughing together with him. Again, I send my sympathies to you, and I want you to know that Mr. Lottridge was a real blessing to the students he taught over the years. "

"Sarah and family, I would like to extend Mine and Patti's warmest sympathy. Ron met so much to me, when I started teaching at North Junior, he was a great mentor for me, as I was starting my teaching career. After 34 years and retiring from education in 2002, I will always be very greatful to Ron in helping me as a classroom instructor, Ron was a very strong personality with all the right principals and values. I am so sorry that we couldn't attend his funeral, as we were in Arizona. Ted"

"My sympathies to Sarah and family. I am so sorry I did not know about Ron?s passing. He was such a memorable, strong personality. Even though he was never a Principal in my school, I have many great memories of him from his years in Shenandoah. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family! Many fond memories of all of you. Jan Stevenson"

"My sympathies to the family. I am a 1985 graduate of SHS and I appreciated the interactions I had as a student with Mr. Lottridge. I was truly thrilled and honored to have the oportunity to return to SHS as a teacher and coach during the 1993-1994 school year and continue those interactions. His guidance and leadership made me a better person, teacher, and coach. Now being a JH principal in Illinois, I have tried to pattern some of his teachings into my conversations with students. Mr. Kagay said it earlier and I will always remember-Have a Reasonably Good Day! Thanks Mr. Lottridge. Respectfully, Mike Meyer "

"I knew RL from school. Thoughts and prayers. My sympathies to the family."

"I am sorry to hear of Ron's passing, all my heartfelt condolences. He was an awesome man. "

"Suzanne and Greg and Sarah and family. I have no words to take away your sadness, just simply want you to know i celebrate with you a well lived life which touched many in a posiitive way it sounds like. I know it wouldn't hurt so much if we didn't love them so much. Sending my deepest sympathy and extending my friendship in the days ahead when you might need it. Know you have always been there for me, Suzanne. Hope to see you soon after I get back from Texas. Judy Thompson, former teacher librarian with Greg and Suzanne in Manning"

"Extending our sympathy to Sarah and family. Ron made an impact on all of our children's lives and it was a pleasure to work with him as a parent and fellow teacher. RIP Ron! Carolyn & Al Ruhde as well as Jeff Ruhde, Mike Ruhde and Allison Ruhde Junker"

" Our sincerest sympathies to Sarah, Ed, Ronnie and Susie. Ron left a wonderful impact on our family as an educator, friend and fellow fan of the Mustangs. We are grateful for the gift of his life in ours. God bless you Ron and your family. Jarrett and Jackie Harms"

"Mr lottridge was my math teacher in sioux city ia I remember him as one cute teacher and so nice maybe thats why I had trouble with math ha ha sorry for your loss he was a good man"

"Our sympathies to Ron's family. I enjoyed the interactions I had with him and also with his family. He was a great leader and a good friend, not only to me, but also to the many students whose lives he touched. He perceived talents and capabilities in the students that others often missed and was quick to praise and value their accomplishments. His catch phrase "Have a reasonably good day" is remembered by all. At times in my life, I remember other phrases he used frequently. At school assembly times, he would tell the students to "matriculate" down to the auditorium. My favorite is the way he described handling complaints from parents. He would say "They didn't want much. It was a 'do you love me' thing.'" Again, our condolences."

"Sarah and family, so sorry to hear of Ron's passing. I had the opportunity to work with Ron through the Chamber of Commerce. He always challenged me and, as ever the educator, created a new awareness in me on a variety of topics. We didn't always agree, but I had a deep respect for him. He was a great man and I am eternally grateful for having known him. You all are in my thoughts and prayers."

"Sending prayers to Sarah and the family. Ron was such a great guy and worked so well with the staff and students at Shenandoah High School. So sorry for your loss. Pat Perkins"

"I mainly knew Mr. Lottridge as ?Suzie?s Dad? and spent many hours at their house. He could always make me laugh and I liked his silly side. He had a great sense of humor, was kind, fair, and seemed to enjoy life in general. All of the Lottridge?s always made me feel welcome and at home at their house. He was a devoted family man and will be missed by so many. "

"Sarah: So sorry for your lost. He always had a smile on his face. I wish I could be there but I'm imbarking on knee surgery. I'll keep you & family in my prayers."

"Prayers and sympathy to Sarah and family. Ron was a nice man and always helpful and loved his family. He will be greatly missed"

"I remember many good things about RL but especially his laughter. Put that with twinkling eyes and you hav Ron. Mr Lottridge loved being our principal. He was a union man who wanted SEA /ISEA/NEA to be the best. He loved students. And he was so proud of his kids. And his love for Sarah was awesome. Ron touched many lives and will be missed. My sympathy. "

"From Magda Alvarez in Argentina Sorry to hear that. He was the principal while I was an AFS teacher at the High School."

"The entire Teget family has many fond and respectful memories of RL. He was a terrific principal, and a better man. Our deep sympathy to his family. John and Gayle Teget"

"Your family were wonderful neighbors and friends. Shortly after we moved to Mayridge Drive we'd see Sarah and kiddos walking the circle several times daily. After Melissa learned to walk, we spent many fun hours with Ronnie, Eddie, and Susie playing in your back yard. I learned many tips on parenting from you and Ron. Lunch served at 11:00, then naptime!! I have photos of Melissa's first birthday and your kiddos as guests. Your gifts of leadership were vital to FUMC in Shenandoah. We had a wonderful neighborhood--the Malls, Morhains, and you heading north on Mayridge Drive. We're so sorry to hear of Ron's death. The legacy your family left in Shenandoah is long-lasting. We send prayers and hugs. Marilyn and Don Mitchem"

"To say that Ron's life far exceeded "a reasonably good" one would be an understatement. Jane and Gary Connell and family"

"It would be impossible to list all the fond memories I have from working with RL. He hired me and believed in my professional skills more than I did at that time. He built my confidence and challenged me to become more than I knew I could be. His guidance and support directly influenced my career choices throughout my life. I am truly blessed to have known RL and his beautiful family. Loving thoughts and sympathy to Sara, Ron, Ed, and Suzie "

"I loved Mr. Lottridge. He was kind, funny, and had a big heart. He actually cared about my life and what I was doing and where I was going. It was a rare thing to find someone who cares that deeply. I remember him calling me in the office when I was a Junior in HS. Not because I did anything wrong, but because he wanted to see how I was doing in classes, if I had any problems. I must have been having a rough day or had a sad look on my face, but he remembered and thought enough about me to make sure I was ok. He was a good man. The world is a sadder place without him. God Bless the Lottridge family, my prayers and thoughts are with you."

"Ron was one of a kind. He taught the young people he touched respect, humility and patriotism. He was a good man in so many ways. During her years on the school board Nancy had great respect for Ron and the way he worked with the board and his role as Principal. Ron left a positive mark on Shenandoah. Prayers for his family."

"Just heard about the passing of Ron. Sending love and heart-felt sympathy from Minnesota. Ron and Brian worked together for the 18 years we were in Shenandoah and became great friends. Love and condolences to his family and all who loved him. Stephanie Goughnour Kerrie Goughnour "

"Sending thoughts and prayers to your family, such a nice man! Always be Mr.Lottridge to me. He was a good principal of our school, Wish you all peace and strength through this difficult time. RIP Mr.Lottridge! Julie (Dailey)McCalla "

" Sorry to hear of RL's passing. My sympathy to Sarah, Ed, Ron & Suzie. I feel your grief as I have lost a very good friend. Ron was a successful Principal who was always supportive of his teachers and fair to students. I have fond memories of our time together at SHS. He was very helpful to me through different health issues. We shared ya commonality of serving in Marine Corps. We were both proud of that and " Once a Marine always a Marine " fit us well. Semiper Fi my friend & may God bless you and your family."

"Mr. Lottridge helped during my student teaching at SHS in 1985. I was a sub under him for awhile. Good leader and always friendly to my family and I even after we left Shenandoah. Thoughts are with friends and family. RD Keep, Oskaloosa"

"Mr. Lottridge hired me in 1992, after I'd taught at Shenandoah Junior High for 13 years. I'm just sure that it was he who prolonged my life as an educator. I thoroughly enjoyed working for Ron. He ran a "tight ship," for both his students and his faculty. Everyone knew their jobs and we did them . . . students and faculty. His Marine Corps demeanor was always present, and I very much appreciated it. For years after he retired, Ron would come back to SHS, just to see how "his staff" was doing, and he always visited me in my classroom. I loved standing in the hallway, visiting with him, and he always asked, "Are you happy?" and I always knew that he was asking more about my ability to teach and students to learn than he was about me personally. The answer, of course, was always "yes." I will forever be grateful for Ron's "presence" in helping me improve as a teacher and his subtle way of allowing me to know that he was truly my friend. I offer hugs, prayers, and God's blessings to Ron's family as they struggle through their loss, but I also want to them to know that they can also celebrate, knowing that Ron is with his God, and that he is now at peace and content in God's loving arms. Sincerely, Mike Cox"

"Sad to hear of this loss. I will never think of him as Ron - only as Mr. Lottridge. The most valuable thing he taught me was having reasonable expectations. The words "have a reasonably good day" came through the intercom every day for 4 years. It stuck in my brain and has lead to how I have tried to approach my life. I will say a little prayer for Mr. Lottridge and his family tonight - I wish you peace and I will leave you with a quote that gave me a bit of strength when my grandmother passed: on't cry because it's over, smile because it happened ~ Dr. Seuss "

"So very sorry to hear of Mr. Lottridge's passing, I always had great respect for him. Thoughts and prayers to the family."

"We send our deep sympathy to the family. We liked, and admired, Ron Lottridge as a man and as a principal. He was the kind of high school principal that should be a model for others. We send hugs to you all. John and Gayle Teget"

"Sending you my heartfelt sympathy and prayers!!! May you find strength, love and comfort from all of the family and friends that surround you during this very sad time. God Bless you all!!! "

"My sympathy to all the Lottridge family. My Lottridge's first year at Shenandoah was my senior year so I mostly knew him through being a neighbor and once in a while a babysitter!! He ran a tight ship but was always fair and I'm sure I grew up a better person because of the values he instilled in all of us. All my thoughts and prayers..... Detra (Farnsworth) Braymen"

"I am very sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Lottridge. I never could call him Ron, it didn't seem natural or respectful, which he deserved. I learned a lot about being an administrator by observing how he handled his building and also by the talks we would have when he came back to visit after retirement. He made a difference in my life and I know so many others as well. He will be dearly missed but never forgotten. God Bless all of the family members."

"I am very sorry to hear about the loss of Ron. I will always remember Ron as a very kind and loving man. My Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family."

"Sending all the love I can from Arizona. Ron (Mr. Lottridge) was such an influential part of my childhood and a dear family friend. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Wish I could be there to give you all hugs. Heather Hackett "

"My heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the family, May fond memories and Gods loving words carry you through and beyond this difficult time of mourning. Isaiah 57:15"