Ronald E. Tyger, 51, son of Ronald C. Tyger of Clarence, and brother of Michele Kishita of Philadelphia, passed peacefully in his family home on Saturday, September 24, 2022, after a valiant eight-month fight with brain cancer.
Originally a resident of Arizona, Ron had moved to Clarence to be closer to his father and sister after the passing of his mother Connie Tyger (née Mayes).
Ron was at his best in nature—he enjoyed camping, fishing, and hiking. He was an accomplished
gardener with a beautifully abundant yard, boasting lemon, orange, and tangelo trees and a bounty of
vegetables. Sharing this verdant space were his numerous chickens, two desert tortoises, and pond,
replete with fish, frogs, and waterlilies that swam and floated in the tumult of the waterfall he built. He
enjoyed brisk mornings before sunrise, sitting at his fire pit with a cup of coffee, taking in the news.
He was passionate, with a short fiery temper and loved as if his heart filled the entirety of his chest. He
held strong political beliefs and wanted fervently to help maintain freedom and democracy. He read
voraciously, worked hard, and was always writing and thinking. He was an amazing cook and enjoyed
spending time in the kitchen. On the rare occasions that Ron watched television, he enjoyed fantasy and
dark humor. He was known to watch Ancient Aliens with his sister and movies on a screen in his
backyard while cooking on the grill.
Musically talented, he could play any instrument, but was formally trained on saxophone and piano. He
sang in a deep resonant voice that swelled and filled a room and listened to an eclectic mix of artists from
all genres and time periods and could be seen frenetically dancing about his kitchen.
Ron’s friends were devoted to him, and he was adored—one said he was a “bright light in a dark room”
and that he was the “strongest, brightest, most stubborn, ambitious and passionate person [they] knew.”
One friend referred to him as a “force of nature” and another commented that they will miss his “infectious laugh that had a hint of devilishness.” A person who knew him briefly said “Ron was that rare person who makes a huge impression after only a few minutes in his presence.”
Ron was humorous, sarcastic, and playful and always had a project. He made banana wine from
traditional East African recipes, flew in gliders, was close to completing his pilot license, and worked in
stained glass. He could do anything he put his mind to and always had new ideas. His most recent
devotion was mushrooms. He’d spend hours walking the forest surrounding his father’s house with his
beloved German Shepard, foraging and collecting spores and growing them in his lab in his father’s
basement—hoping to one day make a business of it. Sadly, his long-term plan to retire early from his IT
position as a senior information security analyst and live off the grid on a small farm on wooded acreage
in Arkansas, was not realized.
Ronald has left an indelible impression on his family and all that knew him—he was loved, and he will be missed.
All services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ronald’s name to the Glioblastoma Foundation, https://glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, 106 W. Sycamore St. Snow Shoe. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.