Ronald A. Siwik

Funeral Date January 5, 2021

Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of life will be held on Tues., Jan. 5, 2021 at Church of the Holy Angels at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to ECOPA Safety and Education Foundation, P.O. Box 3130 Alliance, OH 44601, or the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, 3850 Chagrin River Road, Moreland Hills, OH 44022. See full notice for details.

Ronald Anthony Siwik, 80, of Chagrin Falls, passed away peacefully at home on December 28th, 2020 after a six-year battle with colon cancer. Born on February 10, 1940, Ron was the beloved husband of Rita for 58 beautiful years. Ron was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan and is preceded in death by his parents,  Anthony Siwik and Katherine (Malkowski) Siwik. He is survived by his two siblings, James Siwik and Rose (Siwik) Oosting (husband Stephen). Ron was the beloved father of three children, Julie, who preceded him in death, as well as his son Steven Siwik (wife Violet) and his daughter Mary (Siwik) Toth (husband Michael).  The pride and joy Ron and Rita cherish so deeply are the nine grandchildren in their lives.  Ron is preceded in death by granddaughter, Lindsay Hatch and grandson, Ian Hatch. His seven grandchildren that will carry on Ron’s legacy include Austin Hatch (wife Abigail (Cole) Hatch), Jeffrey, Jeremy and Alyssa Siwik, and Bradley, William and Sarah Toth. Professionally, Ron was a Radiologist. He attended Kalamazoo College for his undergraduate studies and it was during this time that he met Rita, the love of his life. They were married in 1962 while Ron was in medical school at the University of Michigan. Following medical school, Ron enlisted in the Air Force where he was a flight surgeon based in Topeka, Kansas.  It was during his service years that he had his first flight lesson and received his private pilot license, and so began a tremendous and life-long passion for general aviation. In 1969 Ron left the air force and moved his family to Columbus, Ohio for his three-year residency at The Ohio State University. His medical training was completed in 1972 and he began his private practice in Saginaw, Michigan, where he lived with his family for twelve years. In 1984, he moved his family to the Chagrin Valley to join a new radiology group in Cleveland, Ohio. Rita and Ron have lived in Chagrin Falls for the last 33 years. Ron’s true passion in life was his incredible adventures in aviation. In 1973 he purchased his beloved Beechcraft Bonanza.  Ron flew this airplane upwards of 6000 hours, with destinations including Bogota, Colombia, 3 trips to Alaska, 4 trips to Puerto Rico, several trips to Canada and Mexico and many cross-country flights to visit family, friends and seek new adventures.  The highlight of Ron’s foreign travel occurred in 2008 when, flying westward, he circumvented the earth flying solo in his Bonanza, a trip completed in 58 days. He was the 72nd person to accomplish this solo earthrounding trip.  Ron also donated several years of Bonanza flight time piloting for the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to survey and photograph 100 pieces of property per year, mainly in Ohio. He also competed nationally in a Pitts Special aerobatics plane in the ‘Advanced’ category for twenty years.  His aviation interest in 2004 became helicopters and seaplanes.  He donated many charitable helicopter rides to silent auctions, and was deputized a Portage County Sheriff for the purpose of locating marijuana growing fields throughout Portage County. A favorite aviation adventure occurred in 2012, when he and a wing mate and dear friend, Joe Murray, each flew Piper J 3 Cubs on a meandering flight throughout Ohio with the goal of landing in all 88 counties. This flight commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Piper Cub. It was a 10-day journey that culminated at Wright Brothers Airport near Dayton, where a surprise ride in the Wright Model B Flyer occurred.  Ron has many aviation credentials, including his instrument rating, commercial rating, and flight and instrument instructor ratings. In 2017, Ron was awarded the FAA’s most prestigious award, the Wright Brother’s Master Pilot Award.  This award recognizes individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill and aviation expertise for at least 50 years. Ron spent his lifetime being a champion of general aviation, contributing his time and talent as well as many generous donations to allow younger pilots the opportunity to pursue his own greatest passion. The family remembers and celebrates Ron’s life and legacy, grateful for the many adventures and opportunities he provided to us.  We are at peace, knowing our beloved aviator has “slipped the surly bonds of earth….and touched the face of God”.  A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of life will be held at Church of the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Bainbridge Twp. on Tuesday, January 5th at 10:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to organizations Ron supported and was so passionate about.  ECOPA Safety and Education Foundation, P.O. Box 3130 Alliance, OH 44601; or the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, 3850 Chagrin River Road, Moreland Hills, OH 44022. (St. John Funeral Home of Bainbridge Twp.  440-708-1855).