ROLAND J. “RON” HORVATH age 89, beloved husband for 50 years of the late Dorothy “Dot” (nee Emrick) Horvath; loving father of Mark “Jack” (wife Carol), Jeffrey M. (wife Jacqueline), and the late Nancianne J. Ohlinger (husband James); devoted grandfather of John W. Riester, MD, Katherine M. Maynard (husband Jordan), Scott J. Horvath, Daniel J. Horvath (wife Christina Koness), Steven M. Horvath (wife Maria), and James R. Horvath; and great-grandfather of Charlotte Maynard; cherished son of the late Joseph J. and Marie (nee Macko) Horvath; dearest brother of Marlene C. Fecek (husband Joesph deceased); dear cousin to Raymond Hudiak (wife Marilyn), treasured brother-in-law of Barbara and Ron Toth and Lawrence and Diane Burns; dear uncle and great-uncle of many. US Army Veteran.
Ron was born December 16, 1931 in Cleveland, and passed away peacefully on January 16, 2021. He attended St. Benedict Grade School on Lamontier Ave. and East Blvd. and graduated from Benedictine High School in June, 1950. Ron then graduated from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA in June, 1954, with a BS degree in Chemistry. He was proud of his senior thesis titled; Synthesis of N- tertiary-Butyl-(alpha-methylbenzyl)-amine”.
On June 19, 1954 Dorothy (Emrick) and Ron were married. It was four years after they met at a dance where they were introduced by Dorothy’s good friend Sophie Novak. They danced the night away. Ron and Dot’s marriage lasted a bit shy of fifty years. Dorothy, in addition to being a loving wife, was Ron’s best friend. They were fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel extensively both domestically and internationally until he lost her to cancer on June 3rd, 2004. Never has a day gone by that he didn’t think of her. His life was blessed with three great children, six wonderful grandchildren, and one very special great-granddaughter. A loving legacy.
After Ron and Dot were married, he served in the U.S. Army National Guard (1954) and at the end of 1954 he was drafted into the Army and served two years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps stationed at Ft. Rucker, Alabama.
After being discharged from the Army, he entered industry in 1957 as a Research Chemist in the Chlorinated Products Division of Diamond Alkali Co. which in 1961 became Diamond Shamrock Corporation (DSC). His field of specialization was the synthesis of chlorinated organic compounds and biologically active organic compounds. After mergers, the company became ELTECH, from which he retired in September 1994.
Through his working career Ron enjoyed and was fortunate to able to follow a career path that was varied and rewarding — and it didn’t seem like work. His name appears on seven U.S. patents and a number of international equivalents, and, humbly, he would say that it doesn’t mean much since all have expired.
During retirement, golf became an addiction, playing weekly. The most enjoyable games of golf were those played on a Sunday afternoon with Dorothy at what was then the 9-hole par 3 course called Locust Grove.
Ron enjoyed being a lector at St. Pascal Baylon Church and thereafter at St. Clare Church, and enjoyed serving with Dorothy for years as an usher at the Playhouse Square theaters. Ron enjoyed listening to classical music during the course of the day and always had a book to read. Tuesday mornings were always breakfast with the guys. He also chauffeured his group of lady friends to dinner once a month. He enjoyed cooking and was happy to have a standard plan, which his family always teased him about: steak on Sunday, salmon on Monday, pork chops on Tuesday, chicken on Wednesday, Pasta and meatballs on Thursday, clams linguine on Friday and hamburger and chips on Saturday.
You might ask: How did you get to live so long? It (in Ron’s opinion) was the result of a number of factors that included: good health, eating right, keeping busy (he was never without a project or two), having a happy disposition and sense of humor, hanging out with his family and friends, and continuing to learn new things throughout his entire life.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Ron to Hospice of the Western Reserve, PO Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192 or hospicewr.org/tribute. Relatives and Friends are invited to meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 10 AM at St. Clare Catholic Church, 5659 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst, OH 44124. Burial following with Military Honors at All Souls Cemetery. Arrangements by THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS.
Charity Name: HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE INC
Charity EIN: 341256377
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Toni and Jim costabile
What can we say. Ron was a dear friend and will be truly missed, Jim will miss golfing and having breakfast on Tuesdays. I loved seeing him grocery shopping. He would hit my cart when I was looking the other way to say hi.
Jan Brunnett
I will miss our dear buddy, Ron, so very much. When our spouses were still here, we would go out to dinner or play bridge together. After they were gone, we enjoyed being part of our W&W group.Ron was a deep thinker and I always enjoyed hearing what his opinion was on many subjects.He will be so greatly missed
Helene Cicero
Ron will be missed such a great friend,! Always ready to drive us when ever there was a friend gathering.
Ron always drove we 3 Widows when we had our monthly dinner, poor Ron with 3 chatty women in the car!!!
A couple years ago for his birthday I bought him a cap and had written on it DRIVING THE LADIES!!
he got a kick out of that!! Ron will be very missed by all of us Rest in Peace dear friend
Jan Brunnett
I will miss our dear buddy, Ron, so very much.When our spouses were still here, we would go out to dinner or play bridge together. After they were gone, we enjoyed being part of our W&W group. Ron was a deep thinker and I always enjoyed hearing what his opinion was on many subjects. He will be so greatly miss
T
BEVERLY FORRISTELL
I was so very sorry to hear that our good friend Ron had passed away. I am part of the Widows and Widowers group, and always enjoyed spending time with him. He was a great chauffeur!! He will be missed. Rest in peace, Ron.
Chuck & Kay Shea
We will greatly miss Ron at our men’s Tuesday breakfast. He loved to plan our men’s Columbus golf outing every spring. We looked forward to seeing him when he was lector at Mass at St. Clare. Just a good sincere friend.
Jack & Carol Gallucci
We will miss Ron dearly. He was truly a fine gentlemen and one of the good guys. Jack will miss those Tuesday breakfast meetings and the enlightening conversations. A good friend who will be sorely missed.
Ginny & Ken Fox
Ron was a gentle man, never too busy to listen when you needed a question answered, a great big hug, a favor or something we needed explained in our Bible study. We will miss him dearly but he is finally with his true love.
Alice and Dave Carberry
Ron was an amazing person. We loved him dearly and can’t believe he is gone. His beautiful spirit will always live on with us. We have many great memories of him. Thank you Ron.
Karen Morrow
Aunt Marlene, Mark and Jeff, I was so sad to hear of Uncle Ron’s passing. It sounds like he lived a very full life. I last saw him at my son Michael’s wedding which he drove a long way to attend and is something I very much appreciated. I know my Dad enjoyed their close relationship. May he Rest In Peace!
Ray Hudiak
Ron was my cousin and someone who knew me longer than anyone else. He was seven years older….saw me take my first steps, first words when I started to talk, and was like a brother that I never had. Took me to 1948 PD Charity Game with Benedictine, My Dad took us to Game 5 with Indians in the 1948 World Series. So many memories of the past. He and Dorothy were Godparents for my oldest daughter Karen. He will be missed. Ron was a true family man, proud of his Eastern European heritage that we shared interest in together. May God grant him eternal peace…and may he Rest In Peace. Vich Na Ya Pam Yat…
Barbara Toth
Ron and I are so sorry for your loss. I have known Ron most of my life. He was such a great father , grandfather great grandfather and brother. He was such a kind spirit. I know he will be missed by so many. RIP Ron. Love you.
Sue Cicero
Ron and Dotty were great friends of my parents, Bob & Sally Matoney. I remember all the fun this group has had through the years. As the group began to experience the death of spouses and others they have been such a support to each other.I will always remember Dotty and Ron very fondly
Michael Covelli
I know Ron from being fellow parishioners at St. Clare Church. I will miss his friendly ways, and warm smile. He was a great lector/reader at Mass!
All of you will continue to be in my thoughts, and prayers.