Ret. Harper

On Monday, March 30, 2020, Ret. LTC Ronald Paul Harper, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away at the age 76. Ronald was born on May 16, 1943 in New Albany, Indiana to James Bernard Harper and LaVancha Jean Lyell Harper. Ronald received his Master of Civil Engineering in 1979 from Purdue University and Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Evansville in 1970. Ronald retired from the military in August 2008. He served as Area Engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers in Kabual, Afghanistan at Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh Afghanistan from March 2007 thru March 2008. He was the Area Engineer responsible for the northern 9 provinces in Afghanistan. Under his direction, several projects of international interests were completed, including Afghan-Tajik bridge, road projects, multiple Afghan police and army headquarters facilities and border crossing posts in Tajikistan. From February 2005 thru February 2007 Ronald served as the Army AW2 Liaison Officer for the Department of Defense at the Pentagon for the Military Severely Injured Center. Duties included untangling administrative problems for severely wounded soldiers with the support of Asst. Sec. Defense. Lt. Harper began his service in 1962. In 1967 he was a platoon leader of Evansville National Guardsmen. In 1967 he became the Company Commander. The local unit was part of the National Guard's Company D, Long Range Patrol, 151st Infantry. Lt. Harper volunteered for the regular Army prior to the activation of the guard unit. Ron was a part time student in his senior year at the University of Evansville and employed at the Whirlpool Ordnance plant as a computer programmer. Lt. Harper and the unit had just returned from jungle warfare training in the Panama Canal. He had served as a member of the 75th Infantry (Ranger) 199th in Vietnam, Company Commander, Combat Engineer Company of A Co. 307th Engr. 82nd Airborne Div., Fort Bragg, NC, and Project Engineer of USA Engr. District Far East. Ronald received his Master Parachutist Badge in 1972 while he was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. In Ronald's civil life he was a certified residential appraiser and civil engineer. From 2011 thru the present Ronald was a construction analyst for the SBA Damage Verification Center. His duties were to verify damage loss amounts for disaster recovery loans. Ronald was preceded in death by his father, James, mother, L. Jean and his brother James Dale Harper. He is survived by his wife Jean and his children, Shelley Mayer (Jon), Lori Smith (Steven), R. Paul Harper, Jr. (Danielle), stepsons Jay Ubelhor and Ryan Ubelhor (Devon), grandchildren, Rachel, Sarah, Kimber, Wyatt, Chloe, Kaylee, Raylan, and his sisters Kathleen Berry and Ann Brewer. He was a life member of VFW Post #1114 of Evansville, Indiana. He loved God, Family and Country. A graveside service will be held at German Ridge Cemetery in Perry County Indiana for the immediate family. Huber Funeral Home, Cannelton Chapel is handling his arrangements. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Deaconess VNA Hospice 610 E. Walnut Street, Evansville, Indiana 47713.