Ronald C. Chimenti Obituary
Of Mequon - Age 78, passed away at home peacefully on July 22, 2022, after a 5+ year battle with ALS, which he handled with Faith, courage, and grace. Ron was an incredible husband, a loving father, and a humble and giving man who was a mentor to many.
Ron was the consummate leader and athlete, lettering in football, basketball and baseball and serving as Student Council President to over 1, 200 young men at Cathedral Prep in Erie, PA. His quarterbacking skills at Prep led to a full scholarship to Xavier University in Cincinnati, where he also received his MBA.
Ron honorably served in the U.S Army in Vietnam in 1968-1969 where he was awarded the Bronze Star. His younger brother, Armand, was also there serving in the Marines. When his father wrote to Ron saying come home, two of you don't have to be there…. Ron's response to his father was… "Dad, I was here first.".
Ron started his business career in Cincinnati working for The Sperry and Hutchinson Company in a newly created MBA training program. The job took him to Michigan where he worked in their Travel and Incentive Division. That lead to a new job opportunity, for Milwaukee-based DCI Marketing, where he started as an executive salesman and eventually became President and CEO. After an almost 20-year career with DCI, Ron purchased the Medalcraft Mint, a recognition and awards company, in Green Bay, WI. While at Medalcraft, Ron helped the team win prestigious projects like the Inaugural Medallion for President G.W. Bush and the 2002 Winter Olympics medals for Salt Lake City, UT. Ron loved to tell the story about his visit to the Oval Office to present the Inaugural Medallion to the President.
Ron served on countless boards: Make-a-Wish, the Greater Milwaukee, Committee, the Greater Milwaukee Open, POPAI, and numerous other private boards. A little-known fact about Ron was that after retirement, he cut hair at a homeless shelter. A trade he took up in college, where he was known as the Xavier barber. He used his haircut money in college to purchase his first car.
Ron's true passion, besides his family, was the game of golf. He treasured his many rounds and tournaments at Milwaukee CC and the Tuesday, Thursday crew. He was also blessed to be able to play winters, with another amazing group, at the Verandah Club in Fort Myers, FL. A most treasured moment for him was getting to play the Old Course at St. Andrews, with his oldest son, Ryan, for his 70th birthday. That along with the many memories of playing the early years with his favorite foursome, his three children.
Ron was born on May 29th, 1944 in Erie, PA to Chief of Police Armand J. & Martha (nee Daniels) Chimenti.
Beloved Husband of Gail (nee Crawford) for 51 years. Loving father of Ryan (Theresa Erbe), LTC (Ret) Douglas (and the late Janet Lucy), and Carrie Chimenti. Proud grandfather of Isabelle Chimenti, Gabriella and Elisabetta Toth, and Christopher and Sophia Chimenti.
Also survived by a sister Janice (Edward) Dax, brother Armand M Chimenti (Kathy), and brothers, Jerry (Cheryl), Jim (Mary Lou), Dave (Malinda) Chimenti. Brother-in-laws Steve (Barb) Crawford, Dan Crawford, Greg (Denise) Crawford, Brian (Holly Doyle) Crawford, Terrence (Ian) Crawford, David Crawford. Sister-in-laws Maureen (Jay) Geiser, Susan (Mike) Reid, Jeannie (Jeff) Niebuhr, Michelle (Mike) Gleeson. Further survived by countless, beloved nieces and nephews.
We would like to thank the staff at the Milwaukee VA for their care, especially the ALS clinic, and Dr. Andreea Anton. Father Tim Kitzke for his blessings and joy filled visits. Our dear Seminarians from the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary for their love and care, along with Edna Sambo his caregiver.
In lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made in Ron's name to The Paralyzed Veterans of WI (http://www.wisconsinpva.org); Tunnel to Towers (http://www.t2t.org); or the Fisher House Wisconsin (http://www.fisherhousewi.org).
A visitation will be held on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Lumen Christi Catholic Church, 2750 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI, from 10:00-11:00am, Mass of the Christian Burial immediately following, at 11:00. Burial to follow in the church cemetery with full military honors. Lumen Christi will be live streaming the service.
