Ronald J. Deitrick

Ronald J. Deitrick, passed away on March 29, 2015 at the Iowa Veterans Hospital in Des Moines after a hard fought battle with CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia).

He was born on May 12, 1945 in Newton, Iowa to Howard and Junella Deitrick. He grew up there and graduated from Newton Senior High in 1963. Drafted in 1965 he served overseas in the army during the Vietnam War. Soon after his return from Vietnam in 1967 he found the perfect partner when he met Beverly Ferguson of New Market, Iowa and married her just three months later on October 21, 1967.

Ron spent most of his life in Central Iowa and in his younger days he was a hard working family man who was highly involved in Newton’s United Presbyterian Church, an early computer adopter, and a prolific gardner. He relocated to Pleasant Hill in 1996 and to Johnston in 2014. In recent years, he enthusiastically traveled in an RV spending winters in San Diego, CA enjoying his grandson and watching for whales.

He had a close bond with his parents, especially his mother to whom he was devoted throughout her life. His affection for his own parents as they grew older set an outstanding example to his three daughters about the importance of family and being there for those you love. He taught his daughters to be strong-willed, independent, love Dutch pastries, and to always read instruction manuals.

Ron had great fondness for trains, cats, and Christmas ornaments. He loved interacting with domesticated felines, and was fascinated by their more exotic cousins especially lions and tigers. Always on the lookout for a new gadget, he spent hours researching the latest in electronics and kitchen appliances. He was a Nascar fan, and a life-long fisherman who especially enjoyed trips to Branson, Missouri. He never lost his curiosity about the world around him and possessed a keen intelligence that enabled him to notice details that others would miss. He often saw the humorous side of everyday situations and always tried to be kind and respectful to those he encountered.

He is survived by wife Beverly; children, Veronica, Christiana (Manuel) Acevedo, and Jessica (Andrew) Sheftel; grandson, Theodore; as well as his brother, Clifton (Norma) Deitrick of Otley, IA.

An interment ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter followed by a reception at the Veterans Reception Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Iowa www.lls.org. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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