Oct. 12, 1936 – July 28, 2021

Ron Foxworthy, 84, died peacefully in the loving care of Unity Hospice and his wife, Sue. 

Most of Ron’s childhood was spent in North Bay in Door County where, following in his mother’s footsteps, he attended a one-room schoolhouse that was within earshot of the Cana Island Lighthouse. He said that on foggy days, they often would hear the lighthouse master sounding the warning to ships so they would safely steer clear of the rock-covered shallows. He also loved to share stories of the great times he had with his cousins at the Rockwood Lodge where his uncle, Melvin Flagstad, was the training chef for the Packers. He and his cousins would shag balls with the likes of the now-legendary Don Hudson, Tony Canadeo and even Coach Curly Lambeau. 

After graduating from Gibraltar High School, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Because he was already a licensed pilot and ham-radio operator during the Korean conflict, he was assigned as an air-to-ground radio operator on a B29 search-and-rescue plane flying out of Johnston Island. Upon returning home, he married Marjorie Shine, and together, they had four children: Teresa, Arnold, Patricia and Brian. 

Ron was hired by Reiss Steam Ships and sailed the Great Lakes as a member of the crew of the J.L. Reiss and William. He then served for a time as a deputy for the Door County Sheriff’s office. He also bought a commercial fishing boat called the Hagan that he worked with his cousin Dennis Erickson.

Ron moved his family to Green Bay, and in 1966, he earned a degree in architectural technology from the School of Vocational Adult Education, now NWTC. He was then hired as a building inspector for the City of Green Bay. 

Ron also became a member of the Green Bay Civil Air Patrol and, along with four other members of the patrol, were recognized by Maxwell Air Force Base for their efforts in assisting in the dangerous foul-weather search for Green Bay police officers who were involved in a boating accident on the bay of Green Bay on June 26, 1969. Ron received the Bronze Medal of Valor at a banquet held in their honor. In 1971, he was deputized by the Brown County Sheriff’s Department to be its search-and-rescue pilot and traveled to Tennessee to fly its newly acquired Cessna 180 to its home hanger at Austin Straubel Field. 

In 1972, Ron became the building inspector for Allouez, where he worked until his retirement in 1995. 

In 1986, he married Sue Richardson (formerly Catlin), and they have enjoyed 34 happy years together. They loved boating and fishing, golfing and trap shooting, motorcycle riding and, for many years, flying in his plane. They also loved to soak up that Islamorada sunshine during the winter months and looked forward to it every year. 

His ham radios always played such a role in his life, and he loved to talk with his many wonderful friends on the up net. So many of those friendships covered decades, and although he is now a silent key, know that he has only signed off with a “73.” Till next time.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Hazel; brother, Kelly; sister, Sharon; son Arnie; daughter Patti; and first wife, Marjorie. 

He is survived by his wife, Sue; sisters, Linda, Claudia (husband, Emery), and Laurel (husband, Chris); daughter Terri (husband, Mike); sons Brian and Eric; stepson, Kevin (wife, Molly); and stepdaughter, Kelly (husband, Rex).  Ron was also blessed with 11 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Ron will be laid to rest in the Baileys Harbor Town Cemetery. A graveside memorial service will be held later.

In lieu of floral arrangements or memorial contributions, the family is requesting that any donations be made to Unity Hospice for the outstanding care they give to all their patients and their families. You may contact Development Director Diana Butz at 920.339.5541 or at [email protected].

Ron’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the staff at Unity Hospice for their tender care and support.

Casperson Funeral Home of Sister Bay is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Ron can be shared through his tribute page at caspersonfuneralhome.com.

SERVICE

PRIVATE COMMITTAL

Baileys Harbor Town Cemetery

2715 County Road EE

Baileys Harbor, WI 54202