Ronald B. “R.B.” Nerger

William Snyder Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | June 11, 2025

Ronald B. Nerger, 92, of East McKeesport, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025.

Ron (RB), born in Braddock, PA, proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, earning two medals in recognition of his service. After returning from military service, he began his career with the railroad, and for 10 years juggled both railroad work and driving for Greyhound. Eventually, he left the railroad to drive full-time for Greyhound, where he stayed for three decades. Ron was always a character behind the wheel and was well known for keeping passengers laughing with his antics and stories. Even in retirement, he kept driving, taking on school bus routes and bringing smiles to the kids he drove.

But the most important work he ever did happened at home. Together with his wife Karlene, they opened their home to more than 100 foster children over the course of 30 years. Their home was a place of stability, safety, and love. They were the kind of foster parents who didn’t just care for kids...they changed lives.

Ron was always quick with a joke and saw humor in just about everything. He was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in North Versailles, where he and Karlene changed the church's outdoor sign each week for many years. He also loved spending time in his garage, fixing up little things, and was proud to have the greenest lawn on the block; a title he held for decades.

Ron is survived by his children Kim (Roy) Henry, Kelli (Aaron) Goughenour, and Karl (Laura) Nerger; his grandchildren Ronnie, Rick, Karl, and Kimberly Nerger; Alex Larson; Nikolas, Kaitlynne, and Kristofer Goughenour; Julia LaFollette and Justin Henry; his niece Renee (Kurt) Bechtold; nephews Michael and Jason Tursky; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Nerger and Catherine (Schwaed) Nerger; his sister, Patricia (Nerger) Tursky; his wife of 60 years, Karlene Nerger; and his eldest son, Keith Nerger.

Family and friends will be received at Forgie-Snyder Funeral Home, 1032 Broadway Avenue, East McKeesport, PA on Sunday, June 8, from 2–4 PM and 6–8 PM, and again on Monday morning at 10 AM. A funeral service will follow on Monday at 11am at St. John’s Lutheran Church in North Versailles, 715 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles, PA with committal afterward at Monongahela Cemetery in North Braddock.

His family invites all who knew him to share a story, a memory, or even just a good joke in honor of the man who made so many people smile.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ron’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society: https://donate.cancer.org.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ronald B. Nerger please visit our Sympathy Store.

Originally published June 11, 2025.

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