Ronald A. Spiewak

Ron Spiewak, beloved, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather passed on December 4, 2019 surrounded by his children and family members. Ron was 82 years old. By way of background for those of you who knew him well and some not so well, Ron grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony (Tony) Spiewak and his mother, Helen Baska Pellegrino, his step father, Frank Pellegrino, his younger step brother, Anthony Spiewak, his step mother, Kate Spiewak, as well as his beloved wife, Betty Barbosa Spiewak. Ron and Betty were high school sweet hearts.

One story about Ron and Betty that Helen and Frank liked to tell was when Helen and Frank were chaperoning one of the Bishop Ward High School dances, Helen pointed out Betty on the dance floor to Ron and encouraged Ron to ask her out on a date. The rest is history. They were the perfect couple, Ron was tall, thin and handsome and Betty was beautiful and petite. Ron and Betty had two children, Ronda Spiewak Greenberg (Scott) of Gaithersburg, MD and Steven J. Spiewak (Sonya) of Purcellville Virginia; four wonderful grandchildren - Brittany Greenberg Kimmel (Chuck); Blake Greenberg (Marisol); Cristina Spiewak Parker (Joe), Nicholas Spiewak and seven great-grandchildren - Brennon Kimmel, Landon Kimmel, Gavin Greenberg, Aliyah Greenberg, Charleston Parker, Giovanna Parker, Adelina Mary Parker (and baby girl Kimmel on her way in January). Ron also loved his amazing siblings, his brother, Tom Spiewak (Jean), and four sisters, Chi Chi Pellegrino Puhl (Gary), Toni Pellegrino Clark (Dick), Vicki Pellegrino (Steve), Cindy Pellegrino Bedene (Brent), Angie Pellegrino (Bobby). Ron's wonderful family included many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews and cousins that loved him dearly. (Ron's immediate family is over 50 family members).

Ron joined the Navy shortly after high school and while Ron missed his family when traveling with the Navy, he enjoyed the adventures during his service, especially his time in Japan. Shortly after the Navy, Ron joined Ecolab, Inc. (EL), which seemed like a natural fit. Ron was with EL for over 37 successful years and made some life-long friends during his service there, both within EL and neighbors they met in Oakland, CA, Lakewood, NJ and Rockville, MD. After retirement Ron and Betty moved to Naples, FL. Ron was an avid golfer so living in the Vanderbilt community on the golf course in Naples was a slice of heaven for him. Ron and Betty loved their time in Naples and met some of their dearest friends. The highlight of Ron's golfing passion was when he made a hole-in-one when he was in his late 70's. While Ron loved Florida and missed his friends and neighbors dearly, he moved to Maryland a couple of years ago to be closer to family. Ron treasured his time with the family and always looked forward when the young great grandkids came to visit. Ron never knew a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone and keep it going for hours. Ron will truly be missed by all of us, especially his family. Ron and Betty are now together again, and we know they are happy. Thank you to the Vanderbilt community for the friendship, caring and wonderful memories we Ron’s family shared over the years.

A celebration for Ron will be announced at a later date. 

Ronda, Steve and families

Donations in Ron’s name may be made at tunnel2towers. /http://tunnel2towers.org/

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