Ronald R. Spielbauer
Ronald (Ron) Spielbauer, 89, of Green Bay, WI passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on October 9, 2022 after a three year struggle with Alzheimer’s.
Ron was born on July 8, 1933 to Frank and Elizabeth (Betty) Spielbauer in Green Bay. He grew up in Green Bay and upon graduating from Green Bay West High School, joined the army and served for two years during the Korean War.
Upon his release from the army, he obtained his undergraduate degree in English from Saint Norbert College, then a Masters Degree in British Literature from UW Madison. He began his teaching career at Casco Union High School, where he taught for one year. He then spent the following 20 years teaching English, British Literature and Shakespeare at Green Bay West High School. Former students still communicated with Ron through notes and cards expressing how much they enjoyed having him for a teacher.
Upon obtaining his Library Certification at UW-Oshkosh, he transferred to Green Bay East where he was librarian until his retirement in 1995. In 1953, Ron met Janice (Jan) Renier on a blind date. They fell in love, married, raised three wonderful children and were lifelong partners. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on August 24, 2022.
Ron had many interests. He was a talented singer and was involved in many music productions in the Green Bay area, including portraying Harold Hill in the Saint Norbert hit production of The Music Man. He was an avid reader, golfer, sailor, and quite the handyman and part-time electrician, which enabled him to build the family cottage on Rost Lake. Ron also loved to travel. He and Jan traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe, and spent winters in Florida and Arizona before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Anyone who knew Ron knew that he was the most loving father, grandfather, and spouse a family could ask for. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something he often mentioned. Whether it was coaching, spectating, chauffeuring or proof reading a paper, Ron made it a priority to be involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Rather than saying good-bye, Ron closed his encounters with this loving reminder, “Always remember I’m just a phone call away.”
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jan, sister, Julanne Block, and sister-in-law, Mary Jane Renier, his three children and nine grandchildren, Steven (Gerry) and their children Brett, Scott (Marie), and Jon (Natalia), Gary (Mary) and their children Kelsey and Brady, and Amy (Tom) Vandenberg and their children Mark, Megan, Alex and David; four great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Ron was preceded in death by his father, Frank, mother, Elizabeth (Betty), sister Jackie, father-in-law Alvin Renier, mother-in-law Mabel Renier, brother-in-laws, Erv Lindsley, Pete Block, and Jim Renier and sister-in-law Carol Lindsley.
A private memorial service will be held for the immediate family at Resurrection Church at a future date. Condolences may be sent to Proko-Wall funeral home. www.prokowall.com
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Unity Hospice and family members whose compassionate care allowed Ron to stay in the comfort of his home.
Ron loved and often quoted Shakespeare. This one’s for you Dad: “When he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night.”