Ronald R. Keppel
- bukladmemorial
- Oct 14, 2025
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 17, 2025
October 3, 1942 - October 12, 2025
Ronald R. Keppel, 83, of Hamilton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at home with his loving wife of 37 years Karen (Wilbert) Keppel, his children and their spouses by his side.
Born in Catskill, NY, to Lillian and Anton Keppel, Ron grew up on a dairy farm with his three surviving siblings.
Ron was a graduate of Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY where his four-year degree took five years to complete because of his love of working at the college radio station rather than attending class.
He pursued a lifelong career in electrical engineering, eventually founding EMCOM Systems, a company that designs and makes emergency communications systems for many of the country’s mass-transit systems.
Ron loved music, the outdoors, canoeing, and restoring vintage Porches.
He took pride in restoring his 18th century farmhouse which he and Karen have shared with numerous friends and family over the years. Both his and Karen’s love and support of local artists is seen in the many pieces adorning the home’s walls.
In lieu of flowers, Ron requested that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
A celebration of Ron’s life will be held in the spring at a to-be determined time.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Buklad-Merlino Memorial Homes, Hamilton.
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Ron is missed by his friends and colleagues at Emcom Systems, the business that Ron founded more than 20 years ago. We will proudly continue to operate Emcom with the same professionalism and integrity that our founder demonstrated. Ron started a business that has provided excellent safety solutions to our customers and supported a fantastic team of employees at Emcom. Ron made a big positive impact on all of us and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to know him.