At the age of 10, his family moved to Florida, where he later graduated from DeLand High School. After graduation, he moved back to Pennsylvania, where he met and married Donna Jacoby. He became a police officer with the Carlisle Police Department in August 1971. In 1993, he became a Detective and retired in September 2005, with 34 years of service with the Carlisle Police Department. He then worked for the Carlisle Area School District in the Security Department as the O.I.C. and then retired again after six years of service on June 10, 2011. Ronnie was a member of the F.O.P. Lodge 76 and the Carlisle Elks Lodge. He attended Otterbein United Methodist Church, Carlisle. He loved to hunt and fish with family and friends, riding his motorcycle, taking trips with other motorcyclists, traveling and camping. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Donna M. (Jacoby) Nester, two sons; Bryan R. Nester of Carlisle and Todd L. (and his wife, Alicia) Nester of Enola, four grandchildren; Desarae Nester, Collin Nester, Alison Nester and Madison Nester, one great-grandson, Jaiden Scott and one brother, Daniel (and his wife, Bonnie) Nester of Florida.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. in the Otterbein United Methodist Church, 647 Forge Rd., Carlisle, with Rev. Daniel Dennis officiating. Burial will be private. A visitation will be held on Sunday at the church from 12:30 p.m. until time of the service. A time of fellowship will immediately follow the service at the church. Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, Carlisle, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 800 Corporate Circle, Ste 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to the American Cancer Society - Capital Area Unit, 2 Lemoyne Dr., Ste. 101, Lemoyne, PA 17043 or to the American Heart Association, 1019 Mumma Rd., Lemoyne, PA 17043.