Former Eldorado journalist retires after 30-year Air force career

Ron Fry, an Eldorado High School graduate and former writer/editor for the Eldorado Journal and Harrisburg Register, retired May 31 after a 30-year career as a civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force.

He is the son of Pauline Fry and the late Joe Fry of Eldorado.

Since 1987, Fry worked in the public affairs office of Air Force Materiel Command headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. His civil service career culminated in him serving as director of public affairs for the command since 2007.

He is a 1974 graduate of Eldorado High School and earned a degree in journalism from SIUC in 1978. Shortly thereafter, he began working at the Eldorado Journal, where he served as a reporter, city editor and sports editor until 1984. He managed the Harrisburg Register's Eldorado Bureau office until 1985 and then worked at the Marion Republican before coming to work for the Air Force.

His wife, the former Vicki Olgeaty, was county editor at the Harrisburg Register from 1983 to 1985. She now leads a 150-person team at Wright-Patterson AFB, buying combat support equipment and training systems for the Air Force.

Fry's retirement ceremony was officiated by Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, commander of AFMC. She is only the third Air Force female to attain the rank of 4-star general. She presented him with the Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service medal in recognition of his 30 years of service.

Fry and his wife reside in Beavercreek, Ohio. Their daughter, Leah Liddy, lives in nearby Kettering with her husband, Kyle.