Someone once said, some fellow was a man for all
seasons. Well, I don’t
think Ron skates or skis so he wouldn’t qualify as a total seasonal
person but he certainly can be described as a very versatile and
talented kind of guy. He
excels in about everything he has pursued.
Born
and raised in Hamtramck, he attended and graduated from the St.
Ladislaus School System. Following
graduation in 1957 he enlisted in the Navy and served at a Naval Air
Station in Florida. After
his two year hitch with Uncle Sam, he took advantage of the GI bill and
spent the next four years at Wayne State University where he graduated
with a degree in Finance. While
in school, he discovered the game of golf while working at the Warren
Valley Golf Club. Many of us who have played with Ron can attest to his skill
in the grand old game.
After
a short stint with the Chrysler Corporation, Ron joined the ranks of
BCBSM in 1968. His career with the Blues was somewhat divided with his
serving in the Finance and Data Services departments.
When the Special Early Retirement Program was offered in 1988, he
was very interested in taking advantage of this program. However, after checking out the qualifications, he sadly
discovered he was a total of 12 days short of being eligible for the
program. Ron continued to
work until 1995. He is
currently employed with Crittenton Hospital in Rochester.
Getting
back to his versatility, he has a number of other interests.
Principal among these is boating.
He is equally talented in handling sailing and motorized craft.
Three of his buddies can relate to his sailing skills when he
acted as our captain by sailing Turner’s newly acquired boat from
Alpena down to his new home in Anchor Bay.
It was quite a trip over a Memorial Day weekend.
One that the four of us will not soon forget.
We overcame hazards of motor failure, doldrums and a severe storm
resulting in heavy seas. Just
ask the other crew members, namely Devine and Rose about it and they
will be happy to share the highlights of that adventure with you.
Ron
is also a skilled administrator. For
the past number of years he has been the Coordinator of a group of
golfers who have taken an annual trip to Biloxi, Mississippi during St.
Patrick’s Day week. This
activity began over 30 years ago when a small group of Blue Cross and
Blue Shield employees accepted an invitation from Dr. Joe Woosley, who
was President of the Mississippi Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan, to join
him and play a few rounds of golf.
Joe was a former employee of the Michigan Plan.
Who would have guessed that those early trips would initiate the
beginning of an annual event which has continued for this length of
time.
Ron and his lovely wife Diane have
recently moved from Troy to settle in Shelby Township.
Eventually, when they both decide to fully retiree, they are
considering a move to Florida at least during the winter months.
By so doing he will then be able to enjoy all of the loves of his
life – boating, golf, fishing and let’s not forget Diane and his son
Brian.
