MARSHFIELD—Dr. Ronald James Messer, 84, died peacefully on April 27, 2017 at his home in North Marshfield, Massachusetts, surrounded by his wife and nine children. Ron was a long-time resident of Marshfield and beloved by many on the South Shore as a devoted friend, doctor, and community advocate.

Ron was raised in Polo, Illinois, son of Naomi Esterly of Enid, Oklahoma and Jarvis H. Messer, of Cove Creek, North Carolina. He was the youngest of four children, Raymond (died as an infant), Norman, and Bernadyne. As a teenager he was often seen around Polo driving make-shift cars that he built with Norman. In 1948, Ron was the captain of his high school's undefeated untied football team – a fullback once described by the Tri County Press as a "ripping, slashing ball-carrier capable of chewing an opponent's line to shreds." His talent won him a scholarship to Harvard University, where he majored in Mathematics. After he graduated in 1954, Ron attended Harvard Medical School and served as a Captain in the US Army, commanding a small hospital in Kitzingen, Germany.

For almost 50 years Dr. Messer specialized in radiology, focusing on mammography. While Chief of Staff at Pondville State Hospital, he introduced the practice of Hospice care for patients dying of cancer. In 1967 he co-founded Driftway Medical Center, and his private practice, Driftway Radiology in Scituate. He is remembered for his gentle and caring bedside manner and his dedication to his patients.

Ron loved the outdoors – skiing, snorkeling, boating, hiking and snowshoeing. He traveled the world with his family, visiting Switzerland, Alaska, the Galapagos Islands, and other countries. Ron was an avid wood-worker who studied with Master Carver, Benoi Deschenes in Northern Quebec. He expressed his love of beauty and whimsy in many ways – the 87 mandala carvings that cover the ceiling of his kitchen and study, colorful sculptures, gardens, rare antiques, eccentric collections (carved cork stoppers, clocks, colonial lamps, cribbage boards), and gourmet cooking. Ron loved animals, especially birds and large dogs. He loved oysters, playing cribbage and dominoes, diving into freezing water, James Bond movies, and Gilbert and Sullivan plays. Those who knew him will remember his impish sense of humor, adventurous spirit, and enthusiasm for good food and drink, as well as his honesty, romantic heart, and uninterrupted kindness towards strangers and friends alike.

Ron met his wife, Patricia "Scout" Watrouse, a hematology research assistant at Harvard Medical School, at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital.  After their marriage in 1965 they bought "The Red House," (Walter Hatch Homestead) in North Marshfield, which remained their home for 52 years. In 1972, they purchased a second home in Starksboro, Vermont, which they spent many years restoring. For 20 years they ran "The Millhouse B&B" on the property each summer, and were active in the Starksboro community. With Scout, Ron had four children – Sarah, Suzy, Rebekah and Jessica. With his first wife, Nina Foran Gee, he also had four children – Kim, Kerry, Kate and Patrick. Ron is an adoptive father to Stacy Scott, who has been in the Messer clan since 1969. Ron was a devoted husband and father to this very large, loving and unique family – this, more than anything, is his legacy.

Those still here: his beloved wife Scout, age 79, former nursery school teacher, inn-keeper, and scientist; his children: Kim Després Villard, an artist; Kerry Messer, pianist and novelist; Kate Muir, health-advocate and former President of the National Hemophilia Foundation; Dr. Stacy Scott, psychologist, educator, and founder of the Center for Understanding Equity; Patrick Messer, research IT, Iron Man; Sarah Messer, poet, cheese maker; Suzy Messer, NOLS instructor, labor-delivery nurse; Rebekah Messer, US Army National Guard, Hospitality Tsar; Jess Messer, founder of a gourmet soda business, human rights worker; fourteen grandchildren (Courtney, Maegan, Charles, Zach, Ian, Kristen, Sean, Cameron, Jake, Nina, Duncan, Cyrus, Scout, Ruby Jean); his sister, Bernadyne Snook, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; his first wife, Nina Foran Gee, of Rio Vista, California, and many nieces and nephews.

Ron's family was with him at the moment he died. His body was covered in mounds of flowers and anointed with water from his favorite places – the North River, Lewis Creek in Starksboro, Vermont, and the Atlantic Ocean. Many words were said over him before his body was taken away, followed by keening, walks to the river and ocean, the playing of loud music, grilling gigantic amounts of meat, and the baking of cakes. His children are still wearing his favorite T-shirts.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on May 25 ^th at 2pm at the First Parish Duxbury Unitarian Universalist Church (842 Tremont Street/Rte 3A).

Donations in his name may be made to the North and South River Watershed, or the Marshfield Chapter of the Audubon Society.