Breckenridge, Ron
Lead, Baritone

Born Sep 11, 1917
Died Feb 27, 1998


Scroll down for pictures of Ron's early quartets

• Extracted from a reel-to-reel quartet rehearsal tape dated 03/14/64:
  Ron was the lead from a Decatur, Alabama quartet named Decastrands

• Extracted from a reel-to-reel show tape of Decatur, Alabama chapters' third annual show called "Around The States In Barbershop Harmony" dated 10/01/66:
  Again, Ron was the lead in the quartet named Decastrands.

  • Their show just happened to be the same name of our, Florissant Chapters', first show. Did Ron bring it with him? We will probably never know, however it very well could be.

• As well with our chapter, Ron was awarded for his “outstanding work and devotion” to The Heart of Dixie Chapter in Decatur, Alabama.
  Click here for PDF document

• From 1998 Annual Show Program:
  
  In Memoriam
  
       Our show this year is dedicated to the memory of a man who, more than any other, was worthy to lay claim to the title “Mr. Florissant Valley Barbershopper”: Ron Breckenridge, Barbershopper for nearly fifty years, Florissant Valley Member for over thirty, active chorus and quartet member, officer, director, advisor, coach, prolific arranger, mentor, Friend. Ron died at the Americana Nursing Home of Alzheimer's Disease on February 27, 1998. He left a void in our chapter which will never be filled.
  
       A native of Rockford, Illinois, Ron whose second passion in life was flying, became a flight instructor in 1937. He joined the Army Air Corps at the beginning of World War II and flew the B-25, B24, and B-17 during his service. He was recalled to duty for the Korean War and flew the B-45 and B-47 during that conflict. After the war he flew as a crop duster in Alabama before joining Chemstrand Company as a Corporate Pilot in 1954. During the late 1940's his Father-in-Law introduced him to Barbershop Singing and he spent many years singing with the Decatur, Alabama Chapter. When Chemstrand was acquired by Monsanto in 1967, Ron was transferred to St. Louis and immediately joined the Florissant Valley Chapter.
  
       His influence in this chapter has been immense. He single-handedly conceived, wrote, produced and directed the chapter's first annual show in 1969 and was a major participant in every succeeding show until 1997, when the ravages of Alzheimer's became too much for him. For years he routinely sold more ads and tickets for the show than the rest of the chapter combined. Over the years, in addition to directing and serving as Lead Section Leader, he held every major office in the chapter except President (we could never persuade him to accept that job, although we tried every year.) He was also our most active quartet member, singing lead or baritone with the Florissaints, Blendaires, Hickory Notes, Left Over Four and Florissant Valley Four until his retirement in 1996.
  
       In addition to being Barbershopper of the year twice, Ron was also selected as Chapter Barbershopper of the Decade for both the '70's and '80's – the only man ever to hold that honor, which was originally created for him. It is doubtful that anyone else in this chapter will ever hold that award again.
  
       Ron suffered the untimely death of his wife, Geri, over twenty years ago and never remarried. He is survived by his son, Dr. James M. Breckenridge, and his daughter, Mrs. Ann Chirstofferson, as well as three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
  
       Ron was a profoundly gifted and dedicated barbershopper who has left an unparalleled legacy to the Florissant Valley Chapter. His loss is staggering for us but our many memories of him will sustain us throughout the continued existence of this chapter. In our sorrow at his departure we are nevertheless singularly grateful for all that he has meant to us and extraordinarily proud to present this show as a tribute to his memory
  
  Goodbye, old friend – this one's for you.