Ronald Delaine GUSS, DVM

GUSS, TEPPER, POWELL, ECHTERNACH, KINSER, MCINTYRE, PERDUE, FIDDLER, INGERSOLL, BALOG

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/21/2015 at 14:43:46

August 7, 1931 --- February 22, 2015

Ronald Delaine Guss, 83, of Troy, Virginia, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 22, surrounded by family, after a short bout of pneumonia. Ron was born on August 7, 1931, in Nodaway, Iowa, to Glenn and Eula Guss; he was the eldest of nine children. The Gusses farmed for a living and Ron and his siblings learned a strong work ethic early in life working the family farm. Ron graduated from Nodaway Consolidated School in 1949. He was an active member of the National Guard and worked several jobs, including harvesting wheat in the western United States. In 1951, during the Korean War, Ron joined the United States Air Force and served as a meteorologist in several locations including Guam. Ron met the love of his life, Johan McIntyre, while they were both in the Air Force, and they married September 3, 1954, in Fort Worth, Texas. Shortly thereafter Ron enrolled at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He graduated in 1962 with the degree Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Ron and Johan's four children were born during his college years.Upon graduation Ron moved his young family to Conrad, Iowa, where he began his career as a large animal veterinarian. One year later he started his own veterinary practice in Renwick, Iowa, where he worked for four years. In 1968 Ron and family moved to Troy, Virginia, where he accepted a position with the Virginia Department of Agriculture as Regional Veterinary Supervisor for the Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection Services. Ron's career with the State spanned 26 years.In the 1980s Ron and Johan purchased property in New Market, Virginia near the Shenandoah River where they eventually retired. Ron became a certified Master Gardener and spent his time beautifying their homestead, in community service, with the computer club, and with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 2012 Ron and Johan returned to the Charlottesville area to live near several of their children. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past September.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Johan Guss, two sons, Alan Guss, wife Shara of Highland Village Texas, Bruce Guss, wife Elizabeth of Whitehall VA, two daughters, Sue Tepper, husband David of Troy VA, Ruth Guss and David Powell of Troy, VA, four grandchildren, Britton, Bradley, Sean Guss and Gavin Powell, three great grandchildren, Sadie, Gabriella and Elliott Guss; two brothers, Merwin Guss, wife Wanda of Florida, Wayne Guss of Utah and three sisters, Janet Echternach, Sandy Kinser, husband Gail and Joni Perdue, husband Larry, all of Iowa. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Glen and Eula Guss, sisters, Shirley Fiddler, Roma Ingersoll, June Balog, and grandson, Eric Guss.

A celebration service of Ron's life will occur on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Salem United Methodist Church, 840 Salem Church Road, Palmyra, VA 22963.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Fork Union Military Academy in memory of Ronald D. Guss or Eric M. Guss for Access Scholarships. Arrangements are being handled by Sheridan Funeral Home, 6093 Venable Road, Kents Store, VA.

Daily Progress - Charlottesville, VA
March 21, 2015