Thanks to Ron Renchler for His Countless Contributions of Time and Energy

By Past President Maeve Sowles

Ron Renchler has been an active member and leader of our chapter since first attending a Board meeting in May 1992. Soon after that, he began shouldering what soon became an impressively heavy load of responsibilities, all of which have helped our organization grow and thrive over three-plus decades. Now we wish to honor him as he moves through the process of handing off those roles, one by one.

This era began in July, 1992, when he volunteered to help with The Quail newsletter. A half a year later, in January, 1993, he assumed the editorship. He was elected to the Board a year later, in July of 1994. That was 30 plus years ago and he’s still on the Board! He continued editing The Quail until June of 2000, when Cynthia Stockwell took on the editorship.

Ron also actively involved himself with booth outreach activities right from the start and has continued throughout his decades of volunteering with LCAS/CCBA. In 2001, he assumed the official role of Booth Coordinator when no one else stepped up for that task.

In 2001 he was elected vice president during a time of transition, and to provide support when Maeve Sowles was elected president.

Ron became a Eugene Christmas Bird Count team leader for Area 1 in 2005. Then in September of 2006, Ron was elected treasurer, a crucial position he has now held for 20 years!! He also continued as an ECBC team leader until 2024.

This list of dates and titles do not fully reflect the stalwart support and commitment that Ron has shown over these 34 years. He has reliably participated in our outreach activities, Board meetings, Programs, volunteer events, booth activities, storage unit maintenance, and financial tracking and reporting, as well as planning and decision-making, with unwavering loyalty and professional integrity. If he said he’d do something, we always knew we could count on him to follow through.

Many of us have countless memories of fun times at the Eugene Celebration, Wings and Wine Festivals, Good Earth shows, Volunteer Appreciation parties, Program Meetings and, through Ron’s years of involvement, a sense of shared visions and achievements. I know that we could not have accomplished as much over the past three decades without YOU, Ron!!

Thank you, Ron!!…from Past President Maeve Sowles.

Addendum from current CCBA president, Debbie Schlenoff

A huge thank you to Ron from the CCBA Board.

I have had the privilege of working with Ron and Maeve at LCAS/CCBA for more than 15 years. I am both impressed and inspired by all they have done to make our local organization so effective and welcoming. I want to echo Maeve’s words in our appreciation for all that Ron has taken on, the many talents he has brought to these various roles, and the stalwart leadership he has exhibited. Ron’s guidance always kept us financially responsible, in legal compliance as a non-profit, and connected with the community. Also, if you ever have a question about when to use (or not use) a comma, you will never find a better resource.