In their own words, Hope and Ron Coder are “Penn Staters through and through.” College sweethearts, Hope, 79 and Ron, 83, met at Penn State when she was a freshman and he a senior. Fifty-nine happily-married years, four sons, five grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and 20 homes later, across the U.S. and Japan, the Coders are living life to the fullest back at Penn State at what they affectionately call, “The Village.”
Sports fans, Hope and Ron regularly attend Penn State sporting events. Ron, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, was a member of the U.S. soccer team at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He played for Penn State, when they won the 1950 and ‘51 college championships. Their four sons, all Penn Staters, played for Joe Paterno.
Hope and Ron live a very active and social lifestyle and epitomize the youthful spirit of The Village. Hope recently accompanied the principal flutist for the Grand Rapids Symphony (the son of a VPS resident) on piano, in a performance for residents and staff. “One of the things we like is the friendliness of the community – the people who are here and work here. We’re just one big happy family, which is always nice for happy living,” says Ron. What do they think of Liberty joining the family? “We are all delighted, encouraged, and have been very eager for Liberty to be here.”