Ronald Baty

RONALD L. BATY

Cedar Rapids

Ronald L. Baty, 82, of

Cedar Rapids, passed away April 3, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at First Presbyterian Church, 310 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Visitation: Friday, April 6, from 4 to

7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom. Burial: Private at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Ron was born in Walker, Iowa. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1954 and attended the University of Iowa. He was a member of the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors for 52 years, serving on numerous committees, including two terms on the board of directors. Ron was part owner with Carl Esker of Coldwell Banker Hedges for several years. He continued to be an active agent during which time he achieved Realtor Emeritus status, Realtor of the Year, and was a C.R.A.A.R. Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Throughout all of his years in business he forged countless relationships, from bankers, attorneys, title companies and real estate peers to the cashiers at Dairy Queen. A true professional in his work, when he met you for the first time, he considered you his friend. Ron was involved with the Community Health Free Clinic, Brucemore and Genealogical Society, and was on the committee that was responsible for naming the Kingston Stadium press box for sports icon Bob Brooks.

One of his greatest joys was having his family around on summer days. Ron could be found cultivating a backyard of flowering trees and potted plants. Over the years, many people were adopted as part of the family to celebrate barbecues, family gatherings and holidays. Every year, family and friends looked forward to the Thanksgiving feast. You always could count on his stash of dilly bars for dessert after a great meal. Ron was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan and loved planning tailgate parties.

Ron married Marlene Buhrmann of Conroy, Iowa, and was married for 20 years. He later married Kay Culver Happel, whose children became part of the "Baty Bunch." He is survived by his wife, Kay; children, Julie Gutman (Mark), Dan Baty (Dee), Janet Oja (Kurt, deceased), Jana Happel (Jim Anaya), Bill Happel (Tami) and Bob Happel (Julia); grandchildren, Shay and Corey Gutman, Nicole and Harrison Baty, Brad Oja (Brooke) and Derek Oja (Brittney Pasker), Andrea and Emilo Anaya Happel, Kayla Hubler (Cory) and Shauna Rasmussen (Derick), CJ, Ray and Samantha Happel; great-grandchildren, Landon, Carter and Macy Oja and Jack Hubler; his sister, Evelyn Lacock; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Preceding him were his siblings, Helen, Minor, Wayne, Paul and Nadine.

Special thanks to John L. Banks for his more than 50 years of friendship and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Community Health Free Clinic and Brucemore.