Ron was born and raised on a farm near Evart, MI in April, 1942. His first flight experience was with his cousin, Charlie, who took him up in an Aerocoupe at age 14 and ignited his desire to fly. While attending Michigan State University he began his flying career using the Air Force ROTC FIP (Flight Indoctrination Program) to obtain his private pilot's license. After graduation in 1966 he and his new bride, Mary Helen, moved to Reese AFB for flight training. After receiving his wings and upgrade training he went immediately to Viet Nam where he flew 146 missions in the F-105 Thunderchief.
Released from active duty in 1972, Ron was hired by Eastern on August 7, 1972. Ron flew his first flight in October, 1972 as a S/O on the Electra.
He joined the Air Force Reserves at Grissom AFB and later transferred to the Illinois Air National Guard in 1976. He retired from the Guard in 1996 as a colonel where he was the Squadron Commander flying the KC-135E during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
In 1987 after the Chicago crew base closed he left Eastern and was hired by American where he spent the remainder of his career flying 727s, DC-10s, 757s and 767s.
After retirement, Ron and Mary Helen moved to Grand Haven, MI to enjoy a quieter and smaller city. There Ron continued to fly his 1941 and 1946 Taylorcrafts at the local airport and off the family farm. Ron had successfully beat Lymphoma but passed away in December, 2009 from heart disease. He is survived by Mary Helen, their three sons, Paul, David and Mark, their spouses and five grandchildren.