Ronald Bruce Emery's Obituary
Ronald Bruce Emery, age 78, passed away on January 1,
2020 at Northside Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida. Ron
was born on August 11, 1941 in Sharon, Pennsylvania to
Betty (Brakeman) and Ralph Emery Sr. He grew up near
Warren, Ohio caring for his two brothers and two sisters.
In 1970, Ron graduated from the University of Nevada-Reno with a B.A. in Vocal performance. In that same year, he met his life partner Stanton P. Gustafson, a Nevada teacher from Minnesota and they shared 50 years together. Together they lived and worked in Reno, Las Vegas, Minneapolis,
San Francisco, Michigan, and St. Petersburg.
Ron’s life was a stage. He was a singer, actor, dancer,
teacher, adjudicator, adjunct professor for St. Petersburg
College at The Pinellas County Center for the Arts and
professional church musician Ron began his musical
journey as a 5 year old singer and tap dancer. He
continued as he as he played the clarinet and was in the
high school marching band. Upon graduating from high
school, he lived and worked in Switzerland and Germany becoming fluent in French, German and Italian.
When he returned from Europe, he enrolled in the Cleveland Institute of Music
where he graduated with a B.A. in Vocal Performance. He
performed in AGMA Equity musical theater productions
and Goldofsky national opera tours out of New York City.
While continuing to perform, Ron earned his M.A. in Vocal
Performance from Central Michigan University. He did
additional work towards a PHD at Boston University. Ron
and Stanton settled in St. Petersburg, Florida where he
continued to share his musical talents with performances
in community choral groups, dinner theaters, opera
companies, churches and synagogues (gaining proficiency in Hebrew) for the rest of his life.
Ron worked as a travel agent and traveled extensively
with Stanton throughout his life performing on Cunard Cruise Lines and singing in the Wien Kammer Chor in Vienna, Austria. They enjoyed traveling to
China, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South America,
Central America, Canada, Alaska and every state in the
continental U.S. They led 32 cruise excursions and also
enjoyed road travel in their many different RV’s. Ron
worked for Kelly Girl Temporary Services, receiving
national attention as one of the first males to join such a
service.
Ron is survived by his partner Stanton, sisters Roxie
Carpenter, Randi Lacey and brothers Roger (Claudia) and
Rick (Debbie) Emery. He is lovingly remembered by
several nieces, nephews and dear friends. A memorial
celebration is being planned and additional information will
be posted here when available. Internment will be at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church East Cemetery, Hanley Falls, Minnesota.
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