By Roger Boughton

Guest Columnist

Unsung heroes are those who make a difference in the shadows of the community.  They are those “special” heroes who make the non-profits hum, the charities flourish and the small businesses prosper. 

You benefit from their dedication to their work and their ability to make their contribution to the community and their neighbors, lives a little better.  I’ll be sharing with you some stories from those heroes that will inspire you to become like one of them. There will be those who are retired, women who care for their disabled husbands, individuals working behind the scenes to ensure that the boss is performing at a high level and the young adult who volunteers at a charity so others less fortunate have a chance in life.  This is not about perfect people but about individuals with faults of their own that they overcome and become heroes to others.

Today, I share with you the story of Ron Marsden.  You have seen him in rain, snow or shine on his bike around town.  He hasn’t had a car in years but gets around the community with ease. After three DWI’s he left driving to others and became a member of AA.  He had his own hero in Alcoholic Anonymous who helped him out of his own despair and depression.  The commitment to the bike gives him a sense of freedom that he never had driving an automobile.  He is a native of Austin, having spent the early years in the Oakland area. Ron and his family settled on the east side of town.

He graduated from Austin High School. Upon graduation he entered the armed services and spent six years in the Marines of which two years were in Vietnam. Upon leaving the service he became an in charge optician technician at the Albert Lea Shopko store. 

Now in his 70’s he gives massages to those who are in pain or want more information on maintaining good physical health. He is a firm believer in the importance of eating the right food and that stress can be very damaging to your health.  You will often find him at the Mower County Senior Center where he volunteers his time providing massages or at the Y easing muscle pain from a tired back.

He says he was never fortunate to have children of his own but he and his friend spend the winter in New Mexico riding their bikes and enjoying the sunny days.

Ron states that it was his mother and aunt that were role models who instilled in him the importance of helping others.  They saw in him the healer that he was to become.  They were the window into which he looked and became who he is today. Ron Marsden is my unsung hero.