Ronald Phillip Sadtler

Ronald “Ron” Philip Sadtler, age 60, of Forest Hill, MD, passed away on February 9, 2023, at

his home following a recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Born in Montgomery County, he was

the son of Allan Phillip Sadtler, Jr. and Edna Lorraine Walter. An outstanding high-school

athlete, he played football, baseball, and ran track at Damascus High School.

Ron graduated from Towson State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.

He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Experiential and Outdoor Education from Mankato

State University in Minnesota. He worked as the School Programs Director at Joy Outdoor

Education Center in Clarksville, Ohio, from 1988 – 1990.

Moving back to Maryland, he took a teaching job as a physical educator with Harford County

Public Schools and retired in June 2022 after 32 years. His passion for learning and experiential

opportunities was evident in both his professional and personal lives. While at Lisby Hillsdale

Elementary School for 14 years, he launched the annual Sports Day and founded the Hoppin’

Hawks jump rope team, which competed in tournaments nationally and continues today.

Ron later joined the North Harford Middle School Physical Education department and developed

the Fitness Lab and the disc golf course. Always seeking experiential opportunities, he

reintroduced an archery curriculum and expanded it to become part of the National Archery in

the School Program (NASP), which allowed students to compete regionally. In addition, he led

the intramural sports program and coached the Varsity Boys Volleyball and Junior Varsity Tennis

teams at North Harford High School.

He excelled at home renovations, carpentry, and all DIY projects, building much of the furniture

in his home. His pride in landscaping his own yard led to the formation of a “Sadtler Lawn Care”

business, and he delighted in engineering unique, thrifty solutions to any home or organization

challenge. His many personal projects included converting a utility trailer into an RV and

outfitting a kayak into a hands-free fishing vessel.

An avid outdoorsman, Ron frequently spent time in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, and enjoyed

hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, disc golfing, family game and movie

nights, and stargazing next to the outdoor fire. At age 50, he taught himself how to snowboard.

Among his greatest joys were coaching and cheering on his children in various sports, hosting

the annual family crab feast, embarking on solo hikes and paddles, and summer vacations at

the beach. Becoming a grandfather was a recent blessing.

In 2011, he committed to a life with Christ. The fellowship and community he experienced at

Mountain Christian Church were instrumental in his decision. He was involved in many local and

international service projects and included family in every aspect. The Resolution to his family

and God was ever-present in his daily life.

Ronald is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kimberly Thompson Sadtler; daughters, Jennifer

Leigh (Earl Lee) List, Sierra Lyn Sadtler, and Miranda Skye Sadtler; son, Garrett Thompson

Sadtler; granddaughter, Soulara Jade Tyszko; sisters, Kay V. (Ronald) Cilensek and Carol L.

(Roger) Robinson; brother, Brian A. (Melissa) Sadtler; nieces, Dawn Fadely, Erica (Rich) Englert

and Rachael (Cody) Darby; nephews, Shane Fadely and Daniel Sadtler; mother-in-law, Betty

Thompson; and brother-in-law, Kenton (Jaclyn) Thompson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following organizations dear to Ron’s

heart:

● Eden Mill Nature Center: edenmill.org

● Canaan Valley Institute: canaanvi.org

● Assateague Island Alliance: assateagueislandalliance.org

Condolences may be left on the guestbook at mccomasfuneralhome.com and the family would

appreciate additional memories or stories emailed to MemoriesOfRonald@gmail.com.