Ronald "Ron" Bigelow

Age 82, and a resident of Albuquerque, NM passed away on January 3, 2014. He is survived by his faithful wife and friend, Barbara C. Woodson-Bigelow. Born in Philadelphia on September 12, 1931, Ron (nicknamed Bunny for his red hair and fair skin) was the youngest of three boys. He graduated from Philadelphia’s prestigious Central High School with a Bachelor of Arts (unprecedented for the times) and attended Lincoln University, Lincoln, PA. When called for service to his country, he joined the U.S. Air Force serving 4 ½ years as a radio communications operator in the Strategic Air Command bombers and tanker crews in the Korea War. While stationed in Roswell, New Mexico he met and married Lanita Sweatt and after his Honorable Discharge from the Air Force he returned to Philadelphia to begin family life. They had two children, Wendell and Rhonda and he began his career in banking and finance by joining one of the first African-American owned loan companies in Philadelphia. He was thrust in the role as a single parent by the untimely death of his wife, Lanita, while his children were still very young. In July 1971, he had another son, Ronald William McHugh. Wanting to further advance his career, Ron continued his education at Penn State University and Temple University taking consumer credit, accounting and economics night courses. After working at several loan companies, he moved into banking working at several financial institutions including Citizen’s Bank (merged with Lincoln National Bank), and Girard Bank (now Mellon Bank) working his way through management before finally settling in commercial lending at Girard (Mellon) Bank. In the early 1970’s he co-founded and served as President, of Philadelphia’s Urban Banker’s Coalition (now the Urban Bankers Association), a forum for recruitment and support for minorities in banking. While working with this group he met and began his relationship with Barbara Woodson. Still maintaining a great love for New Mexico, he took an early retirement in 1977 from Mellon Bank and decided to go west. Buying a small van camper, he convinced Barbara Woodson take a vacation and join him on the cross country drive. Stopping to visit his childhood best friend Frank Feaster in California, he finally settled in Albuquerque, his longtime dream. After learning that being a free spirit does not pay the bills, he returned to his banking roots, and joined the staff of Sun West Bank in 1978 (Albuquerque National Bank) starting as cashier and finally retiring in 1990 as an Assistant Vice President, Simms Branch. He also continued his pursuit of higher education earning a diploma from the University of New Mexico’s School of Banking in 1986. Ron Bigelow later obtained his real estate broker’s license, and opened Sage West Reality serving the greater Albuquerque, New Mexico area. Maintaining his commitment to community service he was a member of the Lion’s Club (Philadelphia), served with the American Heart Association as State Board Member (2 yrs) Bernalillo County Director and Chairman of Residential Campaigns (4 yrs). He was also an active member of the Duke City Civitan Club, serving as Director (6 yrs) and a Civitan Foundation Board Member. After a long term friendship with Barbara Woodson, they were married January 29, 1999. They shared many good times before he became ill. He is preceded in death, by his two brothers Charles and William. He is survived by his devoted wife Barbara of 15 years, his daughter Rhonda Holmes, his two sons, Wendell Bigelow and Ronald William McHugh, his best, like-a-brother, friend Frank Feaster, his niece, Sigrid Z. Monaghan and two nieces Mary Louise Adkinson and Judy Prandy. In lieu of a memorial service condolences can be shared by visiting the online guest book for Ronald Bigelow at www.FrenchFunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Duke City Civitan Club.

Ronald "Ron" Bigelow

September 12, 1931 - January 3, 2014