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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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RONALD DOSTAL
RONALD JOE DOSTAL
Cedar Rapids
Ronald Joe Dostal believed, and often said, that "life is a fantastic adventure." His adventure on earth began on May 24, 1938, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and came to an end on Nov. 9, 2017, in Longmont, Colo.
The only son of Joe and Minnie Dostal, Ron became an Eagle Scout at age 15. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering as a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at Iowa State University. He also earned his Master of Business Administration from Indiana University.
Ron served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1963, sailing in the Caribbean on the USS Claud Jones during the Cuban missile crisis. He enjoyed a 30-year career with General Motors, mostly in Indianapolis, which became the home for his family. He started as a systems analyst and later became an executive, leading Allison Transmission's venture into the European market while living in the Netherlands in the early 1990s. He finished his career with ZF Friedrichshafen AG. His passion was to develop young people by giving them the tools they needed to succeed without managers' interference.
An avid outdoorsman all his life, Ron loved the forests, streams, hills, fish and wildlife of North America. He skied, snowshoed, played golf and constructed his own fishing rods. In his retirement, he moved to Niwot, Colo., and hiked extensively with good friends in the Rocky Mountains throughout his 60s and early 70s. He was particularly drawn to the Fourteeners of the Front Range, and was especially proud of his ascent of Longs Peak in 1999.
He is survived by his wife, Jan; his son, Ron Jr.; his son-in-law, Colin; his sisters, Noreen and Donna; and many close friends and family members, who already are missing him dearly.
In the next chapter of his fantastic adventure, he will be helping doctors and surgeons advance modern medicine through scientific research.
At Ron's request, no services will take place.
Donations in his honor may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
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