Obituary

Obituary
Ronald Beckley Sloat, born April 24, 1935, in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, died peacefully at home in Lancaster on April 13, 2021. He was the son of the late Paul Beshore Sloat and Maxine Beckley and also the loving father of sons Christopher Ross Sloat of Phoenix, Arizona and Jonathan Haak (Janet) Sloat of Redding, California.
He leaves behind his wife, Regina Haak with whom he celebrated their 55th anniversary, July 3rd 2020. Additional survivors include his brother-in-law, Ken (Linda) Lawrence, his nieces Kristin (Chris) Winter and Sarah (Michael) Walls and nephews Scott (Linda) Lawrence and Todd (Cynthia) Lawrence. He will be very much missed by them and also by great nephew Sam Walls and great nieces Audrey and Lila Walls along with Ron’s and his wife’s extended families in whose memory he lives on.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Paula Sloat and Donna Lawrence.
After graduating Cheltenham High School, Philadelphia, Ron attended the University of Pennsylvania from which he graduated with a BA degree in 1957. He was a member of the Athletic Managerial Board, the Christian Association and Sigma Phi Epsilon. He had become especially fond of baseball early on in his life so the position as the Assistant Manager and then Associate Manager of Penn’s Varsity baseball team must have been a dream come true. Ron spent summers as the athletic director at a camp in Green Lane offering underprivileged, “nature starved” boys from Philadelphia an experience they would not otherwise have had. The program was funded by his fraternity and sponsored by the Pa. Christian Association.
In 1960 he received a Divinity Degree from McCormick Seminary in Chicago. Ron especially appreciated the academic breadth of McCormick’s faculty and diverse student body. In addition, McCormick’s encouragement to volunteer in a variety of ways in neighborhood houses of the inner city became an important part of the students’ education and in his life.
Shortly after graduation Ron was ordained and installed as pastor of the May Street Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio which he served for approximately four years. It had become like a family to him since he was still single. After his marriage to Regina whom he had met through a friend, they left for Europe. There he was introduced to a host of Regina’s relatives and friends.
In 1965 he began to audit two semesters at New College, Edinburgh, Scotland. At that time students and especially many from the States flocked to it in order to hear and study under widely-known faculty. He also served the Lothian Road Presbyterian Church as an assistant and youth leader. Being involved in a local congregation and working with its youth further broadened his horizons. One particular professor invited students to his home for an informal tea and chat which was a thrill for them. Each September, the City of Edinburgh sponsored a welcome event for all incoming students, some from far-away places to which interested local citizens were also invited. It is here that Ron and Regina were exposed to an even wider range of experiences.
Once back at home and while looking for another church position, Ron joined Child Protective Services in Philadelphia. In 1969 he received a call from the 700+ member Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Connecticut to serve initially one year as Assistant and then followed by a position as Associate for the remainder of his stay. This became a 10 year position.
In 1979 he became the minister of the West Charlton United Presbyterian Church in Upstate New York where he served as pastor for twenty years. Along the way, he was actively involved in both New England and Albany Presbyteries in a variety of leadership roles. He was twice a delegate to the General Assembly during some of the more controversial periods of the national church. During this time he volunteered for twenty years monthly as night Chaplain at a nearby hospital and held positions in numerous ecumenical groups and community organizations.
In 1988, with the support of the West Charlton Church, Ron earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Without the many members and others who gave of their different talents and time to participate in the many exercises, this could not have been possible.
When Ron returned to the Philadelphia area, he was invited to preach occasionally at the Union Tabernacle Presbyterian Church where he had been a Student Intern during the summer of his Seminary days. Just when he thought his preaching days were over, God had other plans for him. The congregation approached him to serve in a more permanent position. He could not have foreseen what an important part this time became in his and Regina’s life and the friendships that lay ahead.
Throughout Ron’s ministry he and Regina extended hospitality in their home to people from all walks of life; some stranded by snow storms, visitors from abroad, relatives and friends, alike. He will also be missed by them. After his retirement both Ron and Regina enjoyed visiting religious and historic places and National Parks stateside, many visits to their sons and abroad.
Ron never considered any other vocation than the ministry. He was a kind and gentle spirit that drew many people to him and for which he is especially remembered. He was not boastful but patient. His skills as a leader early on in athletics served him well in later life.
Arrangements by DeBord-Snyder, Lancaster. A service to celebrate his life is being planned at a later date at the convenience of his family and friends.