Ronald Edward Stumme of Southampton Dies December 11

Ronald Edward Stumme of Southampton died on December 11 at the Kanas Center for Hospice Care on Quiogue. He was 81.

He was born on January 4, 1941, to Bertha and Herman Stumme, their sixth child. He attended Southampton schools and graduated from Southampton High School in 1946. After graduation, he was drafted to the United State Army, serving in the Signal Corps, and was stationed in Germany. When he returned from the service, he worked in television repair and for the Squires Service Center on Hampton Road. He was the friendly mechanic who helped many people with their automotive problems, his family recalled.

Stumme had a lifelong interest in photography, genealogy, computers and communications technology. He spent extensive time traveling on Long Island, researching family history. He was adept at repairing mechanical and electronic machineries, and took great pleasure in understanding their working systems.

In recent months, he had been hospitalized and spent some time at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and in The Hamptons Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. He was amazed at how many people remembered him from the gas station, and thanked him for fixing their flat or helping with an automotive repair.

He was predeceased by his parents, Bertha (Bennett) Stumme and Herman Stumme; his brothers Bud Stumme and Richard Stumme; and his sisters Shirl Phillips and Joan Bricker.

He is survived by his sister Marge Squires; nephews Norman Stumme, Ted Squires Jr. and William Squires; and nieces Deborah (Bricker) Franz, Cynthia Bricker and Teal Squires-Vella.

A graveside service was held on December 17, with a luncheon at the First Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the East End Hospice, PO Box 1048 Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 (eeh.org). The family wishes to extend their gratitude to East End Hospice for the compassionate care he received while at the center.