Ronald C. Bailey

03/28/2002

Ronald C. Bailey, 85, of Otis died Thursday at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. He had suffered a series of strokes. Born in New York City on Nov. 17, 1916, son of Frederick and Catherine Hejnas Bailey, he graduated from Hempstead (N.Y.) High School and studied math, physics and engineering at Pratt Institute of Technology in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1941, Mr. Bailey joined the 8th Army Air Corps and was trained in pilotage, navigation, radar and air gunnery. He was assigned to the heavy bombers and served with distinction in the 100th Bombardment Group in England. As navigator, he guided Maj. Robert Rosenthal's B-17 "Royal Flush" through 25 bombing missions over Germany. He was awarded many honors, including the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and the New York State Distinguished Service Cross. He was discharged from active duty in 1945 as a lieutenant. Following his discharge, he earned a bachelor of arts degree from Hofstra University and attended graduate school at Adelphi University. Mr. Bailey was recalled to the Air Force in 1951 and trained fliers in Texas and California. He became staff navigator to Gen. Curtis E. LeMay. After his second tour of duty, Mr. Bailey pursued an engineering career. He earned a New York state certificate in science instruction and served as a teacher at Long Island schools. After several years as a summer resident of the Berkshires, Mr. Bailey joined a partnership in 1961 and bought property in Otis. He built a house on his portion of the land, which became known as Beaver Hills. Upon his retirement from teaching, he became a year-round resident here. Mr. Bailey enjoyed sailing. He was known for his care of animals, his knowledge of trees, birds and insects in his environment, and his work at the Mountain Grove Lodge in Becket. Near the end of his life, Mr. Bailey was a resident of the Village at Laurel Lake in Lee. He and his wife, the former Kathleen Bernarde of New York, were married in 1947. She died in 1965. He leaves a son, Gregory Bailey of Oakland, Calif., and a daughter, Melanie Bailey of Oregon City, Ore. A memorial service is planned for the summer at Beaver Hills.

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