Ronald Hobbs

Ronald Allen Hobbs was the thirteenth child and seventh son of Charles R. and Valerie C. (Brown) Hobbs. Ronnie was born on January 5, 1956, in Somerville, New Jersey and grew up Bridgewater Township in the community of Hobbstown.   He was a graduate of Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

Ronnie was raised as a member of the Shiloh Pentecostal Church founded by his grandmother, Pastor Ruth Anna Brown located in Somerville. In his later years he became a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church, located in Hobbstown, pastored by Pastor David Hobbs.

Ron learned to operate excavation equipment from his father’s excavation business. He became a skilled backhoe operator while still in grade school. Not only did Ron have a natural ability to operate heavy equipment, he also had the ability to intelligently comprehend how the machines worked and could diagnose and provide appropriate maintenance for the heavy equipment. Eventually he became a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 825.  He worked with the Union for many years. He loved this work for it allowed him to not only use his mental capacity to figure out how to approach earth moving problem situations, but also the skill of his hands as he manipulated the machines to get them to perform as he needed.

Ron also loved music, he worked with the Voltage Brothers, a rock band out of Atlanta, Ga. He traveled with them around the country for several years. His function was to ensure that all of the group’s equipment was set up and functioned properly which included maintaining the groups travel vehicles. 

Ron developed a disability as he grew older and lost both legs. Despite this loss, Ron fiercely maintained his independence. Ron’s lifetime experience of figuring things out was on full display during this time. His wheelchair did not prevent him from performing most of his daily household functions. He simply figured out a way. Fortunately, Ronnie maintained several close friends. When he needed extra help, his friends were there to generously provide assistance.

Ephesians 2:2 notes ‘in time past ye walked according to the course of this world’. Ron lived his life to its fullest. As he approached his last days, he looked back on the scriptural foundation that his life had been rooted in as a child. Verses 4-5 of Ephesians states ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, ... Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)’.

Ronald was predeceased by his mother and father, his siblings Ruth Anna, Charles Robert Jr, Deborah, Daniel, Arthur Eugene, Joel Anthony, and Brenda Allyn. Left to cherish his memory are Millicent, Lois, Valerie Contance, Viola Joyce, Claudia Joan and Kenneth Wesley along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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