Ronald L. Ravneberg

RAVNEBERG Ronald L. Ravneberg, 60, died at home Saturday, January 31, of pancreatic cancer. Born in Lewiston, Idaho, on March 25, 1948, Ron attended Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, with bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology. He worked in the behavioral health industry for more than 30 years in Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio. For the past 15 years he was a management consultant and most recently was a principal in Health Systems Consulting and TURN LLC. Ron had a lifelong interest in amateur astronomy. Since receiving his first telescope at age 9, he pursued his passion for star gazing, building and refurbishing telescopes, and forging friendships with fellow amateur astronomers. He was a longtime member and past president of the Columbus Astronomical Society. He spent countless evenings at Perkins Observatory in Delaware, Ohio, where he enjoyed spending time with friends and helping members of the public discover the wonders of the universe. He also developed close connections with astronomers throughout the world. Ron was an avid reader and book collector and worked closely with The Aldus Society, a Columbus-based organization for lovers of books and the printed arts. He was a board member, past president and newsletter editor for the group. Additionally, he was a board member for both the Friends of the OSU Libraries and The Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies (FABS). Over the years he built his own collection of antiquarian books, maps and prints, with a particular emphasis on works associated with 18th-century explorer Capt. James Cook. He was preceded in death by parents Lloyd and Nadine Ravneberg, sister Julie Ravneberg, father-in-law Walter Huehl and sister-in-law Judith Scholtz. He is survived by wife Janet; daughter Christina of New York City; son David of Columbus; sister Nancy (Dave) Hill of Wickenburg, Ariz.; mother-in-law Kathryn Huehl of Indianapolis; brother-in-law Robert Scholtz Jr. of Columbus, Ind.; niece Kathryn (Chad) Tolen of West Lafayette, Ind.; nephew Robert (Jennifer) Scholtz III of Richmond, Va; niece Stephanie (Jeff) Barnes of Wickenburg, Ariz.; niece Sherry (Keith) Hoene of Garden Valley, Idaho; eight great-nieces and five great-nephews. Friends may call Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 N. High St. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning, 11 a.m., at BETHEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1220 Bethel Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to two organizations close to Ron's heart: Perkins Observatory Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 449, Delaware, OH, 43015 or The Aldus Society, c/o Dave Reiff, 5688 Pauley Ct., Columbus, OH, 43235. Visit www.schoedinger.com to send online condolences to the family.