Ronald W. Firster, 88, formerly of Butler and St. Augustine, Fla., passed away peacefully Saturday at his home in Charlottesville, Va.

Born Oct. 28, 1926, in Franklin, he was the son of Merle G. and Marie Hawkins Firster. He married Dorothy Lucille Parker Jan. 12, 1945, and they enjoyed 65 years together until her death Dec. 4, 2010.

A graduate of Rocky Grove High School, Mr. Firster served in the U.S. Army during World War II, then attended Slippery Rock State College, where he majored in geography and social studies and graduated with a degree in education in 1953.

He earned his master's degree in counseling at Westminster College.

After teaching at Rocky Grove High School for two years, Mr. Firster moved to Butler, where he worked as a guidance counselor at Butler Junior High School from 1955 until 1982.

Music was a big part of Mr. Firster's life from an early age. He played in the Rocky Grove Community Band. He played saxophone and clarinet and had his own dance band in the 1940s and 1950s. He had many interests, including traveling with his wife, making countless trips to Florida as well as driving across the country from Pennsylvania to the West Coast several times.

He learned to fly a J3 Cub and wired several houses in his spare time. Always an avid reader, he loved to learn new things and discuss a wide range of subjects. Even when his eyesight failed, he sought more information by listening to books on tape.

Upon retirement, the Firsters moved to St. Augustine, Fla., where they enjoyed friends, travel and volunteer work. They were active in the Exchange Club and Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church. The two received the RSVP Volunteers of the Year Award in 2004 for their work at the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

In 2006, the Firsters moved to Charlottesville to be near their son and his family. His many new friends soon became accustomed to Mr. Firster's talent as a raconteur. He was never without an interesting and detailed story to tell. He also had a sharp wit and kept the jokes coming even during his last days. His humor, integrity, positive attitude and enthusiasm made him a wonderful role model for his children and grandchild, to whom he was devoted.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville.

Mr. Firster is survived by his son, Jim Firster and his wife, Susan Erno, of Charlottesville; his daughter, Jean Youkers, and her husband, Bud Youkers, of Hockessin, Del., his granddaughter, Allison Firster of Charlottesville; and his brother, Ted Firster, and sister-in-law, Sonnie Firster, of Riverside, Calif.

FIRSTER — A memorial service for Ronald W. Firster, who died Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St., Charlottesville.Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Teague Funeral Service, 2260 Ivy Road, Charlottesville, Va.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. Augustine, Fla., First Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, Va., or the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum at its address, 81 Light House Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32080, or website, staugustinelighthouse.com/getinvolved/donate.