Ronald L. Umbeck

Beloved teacher at Bishop Ireton High School, Ronald L. Umbeck, 78, of Arlington, Virginia, formerly of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, passed away Monday, July 13, 2020, at Inova-Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. 

He was born August 14, 1941, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Roy Herman and Gladys V. Adams Umbeck. 

Ron attended the former Lorimier Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, and started playing the clarinet in 3rd grade.  While attending 7th grade at the former Schultz Junior High School in Cape Girardeau, he started playing the trumpet.  In 8th grade, Ronald moved to San Diego.  He was a 1959 graduate of Hoover High School and a 1963 graduate of the University of San Diego.  He worked one year as a teacher’s assitant at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. 

In 1967, he received a master’s degree in mathematics from the Catholic University in Washington D. C.   He then taught school for 52 years at Bishop Ireton, serving for than 50 years as the academic coach for school’s team on the NBC local program, “It’s Academic”.  Through the years, Ron continued to use his musical ability and often played and traveled with various bands, including the Washington Redskins Marching Band.  His former students include the head of the math department at Duke University, a former governor of Virginia, and a Grammy award winning singer.

Ron was a longtime member of Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Alexandria, serving as an usher and a Eucharistic Minister for the school.   

To cherish his memory, Ron leaves three brothers, John (Shirley) Umbeck of Jackson, Missouri; Mark (Janet) Redmond of Lafayette, California, Gregory Redmond of San Diego, California; a maternal aunt, Margaret Cobb of Cape Girardeau; several nephews and nieces, including Mark Umbeck of Cape Girardeau, John Umbeck, Jr. of Jackson, William “Bill” (Amy) Umbeck and son Noah of Cape Girardeau, David Umbeck of Cape Girardeau, and Sean (Jessica) Umbeck and children Clayton, Remington, Grayson of Jackson.  

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy H. (Ruth) Umbeck; his mother, Gladys (Raymond) Redmond; a brother, Paul Redmond; and a nephew, Patrick Umbeck.

Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. to service time, Monday, July 27, 2020, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral is at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 27, 2020, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jason Grubbs and Deacon Al Stoverink officiating.  Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the TRIBUTES WALL tab of Ron’s personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria, VA. 22314.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald L. Umbeck, please visit our floral store.