116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Ronald "Ron" Bechler
Ronald "Ron" Bechler
Monticello
Ronald “Ron” Bechler of Monticello, Iowa, passed peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, surrounded by his devoted wife and daughters. A family memorial service was held Oct. 13, 2022, at Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello, assisted by Kramer Funeral Home of Monticello, Iowa.
Ron was the son of Gerald and Lauretta Bechler and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. He graduated from Central High School in 1961and then Iowa State University in 1967 with a Bachelor's Degree (BSCE) in Civil Engineering. Ron accepted a position with Stanley Consultants in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1967 while obtaining his professional engineer license in 1971 and his Master’s Degree in engineering from University of Iowa in 1975. While at Stanley Consultants for 18 years, he was assigned senior structural engineer for projects with Union Carbide Corp. and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Desiring change in 1985 Ron accepted a position with Cuckler Building Manufacturing as Chief Engineer. In 1987, new owners Star Buildings, wanted all engineering relocated to Oklahoma. Ron wanted opportunities elsewhere and joined Jack C. Miller and Associates, a private practice firm in Cedar Rapids. He became partner in two years and the firm's name changed to M2B Engineers. Ron worked on numerous school projects with architects in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Waterloo. Additionally, he was structural engineer on projects with General Mills, Cargill and other industrial clients for 17 years, retiring in 2007 after 36 years of professional engineering.
Ron had interest in antique cars since high school and loved Chevrolet best. He and his wife bought a 1936 Chevy in 1969 and 13 others followed. The Chevy’s became a family affair and he drove in the Muscatine 4th of July parades. Fishing was another hobby that involved his family, then his grandchildren. Family was the center of his life.
Remembering Ron with respect and love, he is survived by his loving wife, daughters, grandchildren, sisters, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews and in-laws. We miss him dearly.
Daily Newsletters