Ronald Milford Banta

Ronald Milford Banta was born on March 1, 1933, in Springfield, Illinois. Ron lived in five states and the District of Columbia, where he served a long career in law enforcement.

Ron graduated from the American University with a BS Degree in Public Administration and a Master's Degree from the University of Maryland in Public Administration.

He had a fifty-year career in law enforcement. He spent twenty years in the DC police department, where he was awarded "Policeman of the Month", and he was the Police Chief in Martinsburg, West Virginia, for ten years. He taught at the University of Maryland's Criminal Justice Institute. Then he accepted a position as District Commander at the Broward County, Florida, sheriff's office. After serving a life career in public safety, he retired to Frederick, Maryland, and began a decade of volunteerism. He volunteered at Frederick Memorial Hospital in the "Green Jacket" program, the Frederick County sheriff's office, and the Linton cold weather shelter.

Ron was an active member of First Baptist Church of Frederick, where he led a senior ladies' Sunday school class for over a decade.

He had a passion for golf and was a member of Holly Hills Country Club for twenty-five years.

Ron's greatest pride and joy was his family. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, of seventy-three years. He is also survived by his three children: Mitchell (Patsy) Banta of Verona, Virginia; Margie Waskewich of Olney, Maryland, and Marcia (Dave) Mulquin of Laytonsville, Maryland; his nine grandchildren: Christopher (Kim) Banta, Timothy (Amber) Banta, Jacqueline (Jason) Hodges, Mark (Lilly) Waskewich, Karen (Erik) Boone, Christine (Josh) Schell, Kevin Mulquin, Catherine (Shane) McKenzie, and Matthew Mulquin. He is also survive by thirteen great-grandchildren.

A Gathering of Friends will take place on Saturday March 21st, starting at 11 am at Stauffer Funeral Home in Frederick, located at 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD, 21702. A funeral ceremony will take place starting at 12 pm with Rev. Larry Eubanks presiding, with catering to follow.