Today, March 28, is the day of my father’s birth. And, sadly, veteran actor of stage and screen Ron Soble passed away May 2, 2002 at age 74. Being the publicist in the family, it was my job to write the obituary that traveled far and wide in the entertainment news. I also spoke at the service to celebrate his life before an audience of life-long friends, neighbors, family members, and Hollywood celebrities. Hundreds of people came to honor his contributions to the entertainment industry.
Dad studied public speaking at the University of Michigan. His screen credits are many as his bio reveals.
In 2002, I didn’t know the role that public speaking would play in own life. Until I met Patricia Fripp in 2009, I had never before taken a speech class. One thing I did know was that my way with words would be my vehicle to make my own impact in life and work. Today, a decade after Dad’s passing, I’ve found a way to do both to make my own contribution. The truth is that I learned far more about PR by watching Dad in action than anything I learned in business school. Growing up around someone who loved the spotlight taught me a lot. It’s one of the reasons I am skilled at guiding others to claim their place in the light in this work I do today.
Ours was not an easy relationship. Despite our differences, the way he lived his life left a lasting impression and many lessons from which others can benefit. Today, on the date of his birth, I share those timely and timeless lessons with you.
When choosing your mate, make sure you get it right. My dad was fortunate to meet my mom early in life, and she stuck by him in good and bad times, in sickness and health, though career highs and lows, and for everything in between. Dad and Mom got it right.
Make good friends and keep them. Dad made friends from grade school, high school, college, and throughout his life. And he kept them. That’s richness beyond measure.
Choose work you love, and don’t look back. There’s nothing worse than going to the coal mine every day to do work you loathe. Dad made a career choice that spoke to his passion, and he stuck with it. There was never a question about doing something else to make ends meet. Doing what he loved was the only option. There is wisdom in that.
Believe what you believe, and defend what you value. My dad’s commitment to the rights of the working actor kept him fighting for the cause for years, and thousands of artists now benefit from his efforts. That is a lasting legacy.
Find your voice and use it. Dad was one to tell it like it is in language that would make a sailor blush. But he got his message across. You always knew where you stood with him. There’s something to be said for that.
It’s never too late to do something really wonderful. Dad gave my mom a simple wedding band when they married. Not too long before his passing, he ventured out to a jeweler friend and purchased a wedding set and diamond for my mom, after 48 years of marriage. He also started wearing his wedding ring. It’s never too late to get things right. In his final months, he sat alongside the bathtub to watch my toddler son take a bath. There’s nothing better than a little splish-splash in the bath to bring grins all around and create an abiding memory.
If you’ve got things to resolve with folks, find a way to make that happen. In his own way, he told me he was sorry for what had gone wrong with our relationship. That was a treasured, healing moment for us both.
As parents, we all hope that we are going to get that right, too. You hope your babies will be born healthy. You hope that you will be able to give them every opportunity. You hope they will do well in school, graduate from college, and create lives that make them happy.
My parents had two daughters. They gave us every opportunity to find our unique strengths and talents. We ventured into the world to choose wonderful husbands who are involved, supportive fathers to our children. We have both selected careers that allow us to express our unique talents and abilities and live lives that are consistent with our values.
It’s a wonderful thing to look back on my father’s life and see that – despite the differences we shared — good things are still unfolding for our own children as a result of the lessons we learned from Dad along the way.
I played a lot of golf with Ron at Griffith Park and he was always a joy to be with. Never heard him utter a bad word about anyone.
That is good to hear and not surprising. Thanks for commenting!
Your tribute to your dad is wonderful Nancy. I saw your dad in True Grit and it reminded me of the old neighborhood on Kingsbury st. Glad your life turned out so well.
Just watched Ron is Combat Nov 22, 1966 show via DVD. So many great roles where he made the movie make sense. Another great actor who could say nothing and still convey the subject by his expressions and reactions.
He is another of the actors who did not get the glory for the support or praise. We learn very little about actors and when their children take time to express the values learned, both good and bad from their parents whom we have admired on the screen it is very heart warming.
Motion Picture is a great place to learn moral precepts (at least it was in the last century before it became insanity and stupidity).
It’s also good to know how our heroes deal with the final battle usually suffering and dying with disease. Some do make peace and often an about face to the friends and family they have taken for granted during their careers. Then there is the eternal side of this existence where our heroes in their own way let us know they are ready and have made the decision to look up for Redemption.
Thanks for the memories.
Ron Soble………. What a great man!! Ron played Dirty Jim on the Western TV Series that I was in called THE MONROES. He was always so much fun. I remember his sweet hugs. He was a great actor and is sadly missed. RIP Ron with all of my love… Amy
So good to hear a little about your Dad,who is one of my favorite actors. Thought when I first saw him on Combat that he was a true German who had struggled to learn English. Most of all good to hear he was a real man who turned his heart toward home in the last days on planet Earth.
Best to you and family
God Bless
Jerry
I’m 62 and grew up watching your dad, in numerous westerns and an episode of Combat! My husband and I were watching an episode of Laramie tonight (Broken Honor) on a substation here and when we saw him I had to look him up to see (quite frankly) if he were still alive. I was sorry to see that he wasn’t. That was how I found your website. I always enjoyed his acting, he played quite the “bad guy,” but it was so interesting to see the important life lessons that you learned from his example. I was adopted as an infant, and unfortunately my father was an alcoholic that I learned little from except to have a sense of humor about life…it got me through having to live with him. It’s obvious from all you’ve written here that your dad loved you very much. I thought he was a fantastic actor, a bit typecast and underestimated, but fantastic…
Just watching your father in The Monroes. He had such a presence and I am sure he will be sorely missed. The internet age gives supporters a wonderful chance to reach out and express appreciation. I am in London UK
I too played golf with Ron. Always a gentleman and a joy to play with. Thanks Ron and thank you so much for the article.
Just wanted to say that I enjoyed your father’s work on the original Star Trek, True Grit, Chisum, Papillon, Planet Of The Apes, The Six Million Dollar Man, Charlie’s Angels, and The Monroes.
He was a brilliant and outstanding actor and I truly admired his dedication to fighting for and protecting the rights of his fellow actors.
Both he and his wonderful contributions to the cinematic and television arts are sadly missed.