Ronald Herzig

Ronald Phillip Herzig, 77, of Orem, Utah, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2017. A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 17, 2017, at 11 a.m. in the LDS Chapel at 50 South 800 East, Orem, Utah.

Condolences may be left for the family on this page.

Ronald Phillip Herzig of Orem, Utah, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was born July 22, 1939, in Mishawaka, Indiana, the son of Herbert Henry Herzig and Mary M. Klopfenstein.  He was father to three children: Ronald Jr. Christine, and Sara Herzig.  He married Mary Lynn Forsyth on October 10, 2009, in Orem, Utah.  They were sealed later in the Draper Utah Temple.  He was previously married to Paula Rushworth and Katherine Scott.  They later divorced.

Ron served in the Airforce Reserves during the Bay of Pigs, Cuban Crisis.  He was an excellent marksman, earning the medal as a sharpshooter.  As a young man, he served as an acolyte for the Episcopal Church during his young and teen years.  He was chosen by the “Who’s Who of America” as the “Outstanding Young Man of the Year.”  He wrestled on the varsity team, and was an excellent water skier.  Because of his high IQ and level of concentration, he was a formidable contestant in the chess, wrestling, and checkers club.  He graduated with honors from Ball State University, where he served as Ball State alumni president in 1979.  He was elected president of the school board in Darian, Illinois.  It was very important to him that every child had an opportunity for a good education, to achieve in life, and be happy.

Ron joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about 20 years ago and has never stopped sharing his testimony of the Church and Book of Mormon freely with people he came in contact with.  He had several callings in the Church.  He was scout master, stake and ward missionary, Sunday school teacher.  He was a wonderful teacher and mentor.  He lived following his Heavenly Father’s plan for happiness here on earth.

Ron and Mary Lynn were called on a home mission to provide weekly Sunday Sacrament services for the Beehive Home.  This was an incredible experience for both of them.  Ron was able to share his testimony and express his love and patience with the residents.  He loved his time and said it was his most memorable and rewarding experience in his lifetime.

His son Ron Jr. graduated with a Ph.D. in molecular biology.  Sarah completed her teaching degree and is presently working and will start her master’s degree. Christine has a BS in liberal arts and is in her final thesis for her master’s degree in psychological counselling.

Ron volunteered in the Santa’s Warehouse Project in Darian, Illinois, and assisted large numbers of children over the years to share their Christmas wish lists with Santa Claus.  Sarah helped him with this.  After moving to Utah, he continued to listen to children’s Christmas wishes and surprise families with Santa visits to their home.

Ron was an excellent cook, enthusiastic soccer coach, and served as scout master for the Darian Troop.  He was told he had to watch his “ghost stories” so the boys were not afraid.  He looked forward to his annual fishing trips to Canada.  He was an excellent gardener and furnished the neighborhood with lots of zucchini squash and apricots for slushies.

Early in life, Ron worked as a pattern maker with his father and then went into direct retail sales and catalog marketing.  He worked for Montgomery Ward, Sears Roebuck, Amquest, and Amway.  Most of his employment contained senior level executive experiences and capabilities.  Growth and profitability were the hallmarks of his career, traveling all over the US and Asian Continent.

Ron was active in the Rotary Clubs in the many cities that he lived in throughout the United States.

He was very proud of his children and he spoke of them with pride in the accomplishments they had achieved and by the kind of people they were.  He talked frequently of the trip he and Ron Jr. took to Italy for Ron’s college graduation and the experiences they shared.  He really enjoyed the opportunity he got to have Sarah be close by while attending BYU.

Ron had his own disaster and restoration company until injuries from a serious automobile accident requiring him to retire.  After recovering for a couple of years, he went back to work at Home Depot and continued to work there until he wasn’t able to work anymore.  By having the restoration company experience, he was an excellent asset for Home Depot.  He could work in any department in the store.  His melodious deep voice and happy tone came across the customer service line.  He favorite department was the garden area.

Ron didn’t get to spend as much time with his children and grandchildren as he would like to.  But he kept pictures of them on his dresser so he could look at them first thing in the morning and last thing at night. His health prevented him from being able to travel in the last 10 years.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife Mary Lynn of Orem; his son Ron Jr. (Aileen) Herzig in Cincinnati, Ohio; Christine Herzig in Chicago, Illinois; Sarah (Cody) Ashworth in Croft, Maryland; his sister Sharon McKinney in Maryland; three grandchildren Ryan, Shawn, and Allesa; and four stepchildren Steve Vaughn, Dennis (Tricia) Vaughn, Susan Beck, and Julie (Todd) Dickerson.

Special thanks to Mary’s family who have helped with is care.

Memorial Services are Monday, April 17, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the LDS Chapel located at 50 South 800 East in Orem, Utah.  Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, with military rights, following the luncheon at the church.

We appreciate the outpouring of love, support, and service that have been given to our family at this time, especially the Utah Cancer Specialist Clinic, Quality Home Health and Hospice, LDS Stem Cell Transplant Unit, and all the doctors and nursing staff that have helped take care of Ron the last nine years.

Special note from Mary Lynn: I would like to especially note the kindness, consideration, love, and support expressed directly to me during this journey with Ron.  It has been very much appreciated.

Ron was a special man of many talents and accomplishments.  His patient attitude, quick wit, and hearty laugh will be missed, as will the cookie monster in our home.

Ron’s strong testimony and belief in Jesus Christ were the guiding light of his life.  His family will look forward to when we are reunited in the next life.