Ronald "Ron" Zenkewicz's Obituary
Ronald “Ron” Walter Zenkewicz, 83, of Westlake, Ohio, passed away on August 15, 2025. Born on July 25, 1942, to Walter and Frances Zenkewicz, Ron was raised in Cleveland’s historic Slavic Village, where the values of resilience, hard work, and adaptability were woven into the fabric of his life.
Ron was a man who met life’s challenges head-on and never hesitated to pivot when the unexpected came his way. After graduating high school, he planned to follow in his father’s footsteps into the steel mills—until a draft notice changed his course. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, hoping to become an air traffic controller, but instead served as a non-Morse intercept operator, capturing Russian and Chinese military communications. His service took him from a station outside London to Pakistan, where he remained until his honorable discharge in 1967.
Returning to Cleveland, Ron pursued his original dream and completed a rigorous four-year training program to become an air traffic controller. He went on to work at the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center in Oberlin, all while building a life with his beloved wife Dana and raising their two sons, Ryan and Trent.
In 1981, when President Reagan dismissed unionized air traffic controllers, Ron once again embraced change. He began a second career with the Boilermaker Union working for National Boiler Works, where he remained until his retirement in 2001. Through every twist and turn, Ron’s strength, optimism, and unwavering commitment to his family never faltered.
In retirement, Ron worked part-time for the City of Westlake Senior Center as a driver providing transportation to residents. He found joy in the simple pleasures of family life—coaching youth sports, fishing, Cleveland Sports, watching his grandchildren grow, and cherishing every moment together.
Ron is survived by his devoted wife Dana; his children Ryan (Jennifer) and Trent (Marni); his grandchildren Rory, Brynn, Jake, Riley, and Slone; his siblings Arline (Richard) Vlk and Allan Zenkewicz; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved grandson Kyle, whose memory remained close to Ron’s heart.
A memorial mass will be held on Friday August 22nd, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Clarence Church, 30106 Lorain Rd, North Olmsted, OH 44070.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center: https://support.uhgiving.org/site/Donation2?df_id=1480&mfc_pref=T&1480.donation=form1
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