Breitwisch, Ronald Leonard

Ronald Leonard

Breitwisch, 56, of 4031 Shady Oaks Dr., Marion, died at his home, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, from brain cancer. Funeral services: 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion by the Rev. Greg Williamson. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Marie Breitwisch; daughter, Sheryl (Justin) Stine of Lincoln, Neb.; son, David (Michelle) Breitwisch of North Liberty; two grandchildren, Brick and Michaela Stine of Lincoln, Neb.; and a brother, Gary (Linda) Breitwisch of Plymouth, Wis.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ethel Breitwisch.

Ronald was born March 6, 1953, in Manitowoc, Wis., the son of Edward and Ethel (Jindra) Breitwisch. He married Jane Marie Sieker there on June 28, 1975. Ronald graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He was employed with Rockwell Collins as a principal systems engineer since 1975 working in the SATCOM Department. He was honored with the Engineer of the Year Award in 2003.

Ronald was an amateur radio operator (KCOOX) and a member of the Collins Amateur Radio Club and Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club, where he served as the Emergency Preparedness director. Ronald was the district emergency coordinator for the ARRL. With his volunteer work with the Linn County Emergency Management Team he received the Lumar Dostal Public Service Award in 2005. Ronald also enjoyed volunteering as a first responder and was a trained weather spotter. He loved camping, boating and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Please leave a message, tribute, or memory to Ronald's family on the Web page,    under obituaries.

A memorial fund has been established by the family.