Roberts Wesleyan College and Ron Starkweather, the two went together much the same as peanut butter goes with jelly. Mr. Starkweather spent the majority of his life tirelessly championing the college that was as much a part of him as local politics. On Wednesday, September 17, the segment of Westside Drive traversing the campus of Roberts Wesleyan College was named the Ronald Starkweather Boulevard in his honor. The boulevard runs from Chili's Orchard Street east to the campus' Nelson Morton Drive. Last summer, the Monroe County Department of Transportation widened Westside Drive and installed a median, which the college will maintain. Born in Springville, NY, the late Ron Starkweather was involved in politics as far back as high school. His widow, Sylvia Starkweather Thies, recalls that he was Student Government President at Griffin Institute (his high school) for all four years. That he went on to Roberts Wesleyan College to major in political science was not a surprise to anyone who knew him. "He was a born leader," said Sylvia. "He once promised the student body (at Roberts) that he would get Nelson Rockefeller to come to the campus for a rally and he did it." This ability to pull things off that no one else could, set the stage for a successful political career that would span three decades in the Town of Ogden. After graduating from Roberts, he returned to his hometown of Springville to teach history. He married Sylvia and the couple returned to Ogden in order for her to attend Roberts Wesleyan College and finish her degree. The couple settled in Adams Basin and began a family. Sylvia finished college and began teaching math at Brockport Central School District. Ron taught history at Churchville-Chili School District for a few years. Only in his mid-twenties, he was the youngest town councilman to be elected in the history of the Town of Ogden. After serving in that position, he went on to become Assistant to the County Republican Chairman under Don Cook and his successors. In 1975, in a very close and hotly debated race, he was elected to the County Republican Chairman position and held that office for ten years. He was then elected as Commissioner of Elections for the Republican Party. He served in that role until his death in the fall of 1998. Diagnosed with diabetes while in his 40s, he died September 9, 1998 of complications from the disease, just a week shy of his 58th birthday. Right to the very end, Ron Starkweather was as involved as ever in local politics. "It was his passion. Not only did he enjoy the people he met through his position, but he loved the political game; the strategies and maneuvers. He was very good at it," Sylvia recalls. Another of Ron's passions, it would seem, was Roberts Wesleyan College. "Ron had a soft spot where Roberts was concerned," Sylvia explained, adding that two of Mr. Starkweather's brothers, Wesley and William Starkweather, both attended Roberts Wesleyan College, as did two of Ron and Sylvia's children. Ron and Sylvia were both alumni. "He was constantly bringing local politicians out to Roberts to give them a tour. He was relentless in his determination to help the school through his numerous connections," Sylvia said. Mr. Starkweather served as a board trustee and took his position very seriously. He worked hard to keep the college's presidents visible to the local leaders. Whereas many trustees donate large sums of money, Ron helped with his political connections and his networking which in turn netted donations and resources for the college. He was close friends with former President Dr. Paul Adams who Sylvia referred to as Ron's mentor. He was also very close with past RWC President William Crothers. It was Bill Crothers, along with a handful of local politicians, who began to discuss what should be done to honor Ron and his contributions both to local government and to Roberts. Shortly after his death, several scholarships were set up in Ron's name. The college officials felt they wanted to do something more. Peter McCown, VP of Advancement, said that in 1997 a $20 million expansion and improvement project was started for Roberts Wesleyan. One of these projects was to improve the safety of the numerous students crossing from the dormitories over to the campus. A Department of Transportation recommendation was a median in the middle of the road. It was decided that the new roadway would be named after Ron Starkweather. "Ron was a very fine man," McCown said. "What always impressed me most about him was that as passionate as he was about the Republican Party, he was respected and respectful of all people across party lines. He always had the best interests of the Greater Rochester area and Roberts Wesleyan College in his heart. For that reason, we are delighted to honor him with this dedication." On hand for the dedication, along with Sylvia, were their three children; Sarah, a social worker who lives in California, Kenny, who received his degree in criminal justice from Roberts and lives in Spencerport, and Brad who works in Manhattan in finance. "Brad is the only one who didn't attend Roberts," Sylvia said. He graduated from Houghton. The dedication of the Ronald Starkweather Boulevard took place almost five years after Ron Starkweather's death and on what would have been the week of his 63rd birthday. |
