Lieutenant Junior Grade

UNITED STATES NAVY

Ronald Clare Babcock was born on March 6, 1938, in Fullerton, Nebraska. In 1942, the family moved to a farm in Valley County, Nebraska, and it was in this community that he spent his early boyhood. He attended district 42 school, a one-room schoolhouse, for 8 years. Ronald attended Ord High School at Ord, Nebraska, where he participated in sprots, was a member of the school band, and on the staff of the yearbook. Ronald received statewide recognition for his football ability, and was captain of the team during his senior year. He was president of his junior class and a member of the National Honor Society, of which he was president, during his senior year. In 1956, Ronald was valedictorian of his graduating class, and received a scholarship from the University of Nebraska.

Entering the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, in June 1956, he was graduated with the class of June, 1960. ronald volunteered for submarine duty, and was enrolled in the Submarine School at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut. Successfully completing the basic course, he was then selected for advance training in nuclear power and after completing the one-year course, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593), in March 1962.

Ronald was married to the former Martha Elizabeth Robertson of Rockville, Md. He is also survived by his parents, Gilvert Scott and Arduce Leone Babcock of Lincoln, Nebraska; a sister, Barbara Gail; and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Pearle Stevens of Fullerton, Nebraska.