Ronald Joseph Abbott

ABBOTT, Ronald J., of Midlothian, Va., who was dearly loved by his family, died Sunday, December 27, 2015. He is survived by his wonderful and devoted wife, Moulan; daughter, Eileen of Charlottesville and her children, Bobby and Morgan; older son, Mark, his wife, Debbie, and their four daughters, Megan, Amanda, Macy and Shelby of Delaplane, Va.; and younger son, Paul, his wife, Lynne, and their two daughters, Parker and Riley of Weston, Fla.

Ron was born October 2, 1932 in Rutland, Vt., to Ronald and Alice T. Abbott, the eldest of six children. He attended St. Peter’s Grammar School and Mount St. Joseph Academy there, and attended Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass. At graduation, he began his military service. First, with the 11th Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Ky.; then served overseas in Hiroshima Province, Japan, primarily in G-2 duties, in Southwest Command/USAFFE, 8th Army. On return to the U.S., he joined the CIA, returning to Japan on the original U-2 “spy plane” project. In subsequent years, he was involved in technical intelligence projects, primarily in Taipei, Taiwan as well as Korea, India, Okinawa, Japan, Alaska, Thailand, and Hong Kong.

Between the Army and CIA service, Ron spent 10 consecutive years in Asia. In 1963, he returned to the U.S. with his wife, Moulan, and began a new career with United Parcel Service, first as a customer service representative, then went into operations with a variety of assignments and promotions in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey. He became District Manager of Southwest Texas District in 1976; District Manager of North New England District in 1978; and Virginia District Manager in 1982. He retired in 1992. Ron found his 29 year UPS career particularly rewarding. He was a firm believer in UPS founder James E. Casey’s maxim: “Determined people working together can accomplish anything.” Ron admired and respected the accomplishments of all UPSers at all levels of the management and hourly ranks. In support of Ron’s career, his wife, Moulan, established homes in Taipei, Taiwan; Rocky Hill, Conn.; Suitland, Md.; Richmond, Va.; Houston, Texas; Bedford, N.H.; and Midlothian, Va.

In retirement, he made seven trips to Europe, concentrating on the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, and France; often accompanied by his sons. He also loved summer vacations with his wife, children, and grandchildren at the beach in Duck, N.C. He considered his most important accomplishments marrying “the love of my life” Moulan, having three great children and their spouses, seven sweet granddaughters, and a brilliant grandson.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on January 7, 2016, at St. Edward The Confessor Catholic Church, 2700 Dolfield Drive, North Chesterfield, Va. 23235. A reception with food and drink will follow at Crab Louie's Seafood Tavern, 1352 Sycamore Square, Midlothian, VA 23113. www.crablouies.com/site/. We would be honored for all to join us there.