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Ronald W. Grotke

About

Syracuse University

FUNERAL HOME

Richards Funeral Home

3670 Waverly Road

Owego, New York

Ronald Grotke Obituary

Grotke, Ronald W.

Owego: Beloved brother and uncle Ronald W. Grotke, 66, of Owego, NY, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, November 21, 2014. He was born on May 24, 1948 the son of the late William and Dorothy (Hennig) Grotke; He is survived by his sister and brother in law, Darlene and Michael Larin, California and their children, Amanda (Albert IV) Larin-Garcia, Florida, and Eric Larin, California. Most recently, Ron was employed for Family and Children's Society. Previously he dedicated his life to being a journalist having graduated from the Newhouse School of Journalism at Syracuse University. He wrote for the Press & Sun Bulletin and The Tioga County Courier. Ron was a terrific sports writer and took great pride in the articles he wrote. He was also a longtime and active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Owego. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. In memory of Ron, please consider a donation to the Zion Lutheran Church, 3917 Waverly Road, Owego, NY 13827, or the charity of your choice. Please share your memories at www.Richardsfh.com.

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Published by Press & Sun-Bulletin on Nov. 23, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Grotke

23 Entries

January 4, 2015

We are very sorry to hear of Ron's passing. We wish his family only the best. My sister and I knew Ron and his sister quite well, we all grew up in Derby, N.Y. together. We went to the same school, we attended the same church and Ron and I were both in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts together. God Bless your Soul Ron.
David & Carol Jones

Cindi & Suzanne Girard

November 29, 2014

So very sorry to hear of Ron's passing. I don't even know where to begin with regards to his sports writing talents that we were blessed to have in Section IV. My sister & I felt like he was part of our family back in the late 70's & early 80's. One of the true believers that women could compete at all levels in sports. My sister (Suzanne) & I have huge scrapbooks of articles written by him & no doubt aided us in going onto college with scholarships to run. May you rest in peace...you will be missed.

John and Pam Krause

November 26, 2014

So sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed at church.

Lena Bishop

November 26, 2014

Thank You for your coverage of girls sports and especially softball games and the coverage of UE softball. Also the coverage of softball tournaments. You were certainly the best. Rest in peace.

Cindy Merrill

November 25, 2014

Our family was so sorry to her of Ron's passing. Just a few weeks back at the Girls Swimming sectionals ...I glanced over and said to my husband there's Ron. It was always a good sign if Ron was there because you knew it meant good reporting. When our daughter was to sign her National Letter of Intent to play girls basketball at college Ron was one of the first people we called to invite. He was always so kind to our kids even if they did not have the best of games. Rest Well Dear Ron, you will be greatly missed. Our most heartfelt sympathy to his family.

Teresa Northrup

November 25, 2014

Thank you Ron for your hard work covering Section IV girl's basketball. I am one of those female athletes who directly benefitted from your coveraged and thorough diligence. I will never forget being on the cover of the Sports section during Sectional playoffs on Saturday morning in 1981 for basketball, as a female. A photo feature that is still in a family scrapbook. Influential indeed, your writing, in marketing a college to award a full scholarship to a Class C athlete. May God bless and watch over your family during this time of grief.

November 24, 2014

Very sorry to hear about Ron's passing. As one of the athletes he frequently interviewed, I truly appreciated his talent in journalism and will miss it greatly. Thanks for all the wonderful articles Ron, meant a lot to me, rest in peace.

Jamie

November 24, 2014

I'm so sorry for your loss. I really appreciate all the reporting he did for the OFA swim team. He always wrote the best articles.

Maureen Hawley

November 24, 2014

Ron had a mind like a steel trap. His recall of anything sports related was amazing. I will miss seeing him around Owego and am grateful I had the opportunity to know him. He was a caring person who had such a passion for sports and for what he felt to be right and just.

Tom & Barbara Morrissey

November 24, 2014

We are very sad & shocked to hear of Ron's sudden passing. Ron was a special, kind, compassionate, intelligent man. He was such a gifted sports writer, record keeper and researcher (years of detailed sports info and records & results). Ron's articles covering Tom's Owego free Academy basketball teams/seasons, were always accurate and exciting.
It was great to see that Ron was honored for his dedication and knowledge of sports and reporting during his lifetime...inducted into the Section IV Sports Hall of Fame and honored by the Triple Cities Runner's Club with the President's Award. I owe great thanks to Ron. Many years ago, when I started to run the NYC Marathon for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Ron wrote an article which let the community know about my running and fundraising for cancer research. Because of that article many people started to send donations for MSKCC. Those people have continued to support me every year since. Ron's was always among the first generous donations I received each year.
I usually saw Ron at the OFA pool, and as always, he talked about sports and how I was doing preparing for my next marathon. My last talk with him was before the NYC marathon, a few weeks ago. I thanked him for his recent donation and reminded him, that because he took the time to write that article years ago, I have been able to raise many, many thousands of dollars for cancer research.
I hope that Ron's life and contributions to area communities will be recognized and honored. We were very fortunate to have him and his talents here. Rest in peace my friend. Sympathy to his family and friends.

Joan Kellogg

November 24, 2014

I am so sorry. We always enjoyed seeing him at church. He will be missed. Peace to his family.

Diane Kubik

November 24, 2014

The employees of The Family & Children's Society are very saddened with the loss of Ron. He was a wonderful, caring person and was a real light in this community. He will be greatly missed.

Cheryl Giblin-Kozol

November 23, 2014

I am sincerely sorry to hear of Ron's passing. Gosh, it seems like yesterday he was interviewing our athletic teams at Seton Catholic Central for our teams successes.

November 23, 2014

We will miss you at Thanksgiving Dinner Ron. It won't be the same without you.I will miss the lively conversations we had. Rest in peace my friend. Scott and Kerry Nearpass

November 23, 2014

I used to work with Ron at the Press. He knew his sports backwards and forwards. He was also a very nice guy. He will be missed.

November 23, 2014

Sincere condolences and prayers to Ron's family and friends. Ron loved his far flung family and talked about them often. He regaled us with stories of growing up in Buffalo. Ron was a font of knowledge on sports and the newspaper business. We will cherish all the good times. Rest in peace Ron. Mike and Nataliya Gulachok

Brian,Jackie,Jen & Amy Schendel

November 23, 2014

Our condolences to the family of Ron Grotke - he was a good friend, fellow church-member and gifted writer & reporter. Will miss our Sunday morning sports discussions. Peace be with you .

Penny Donato

November 23, 2014

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Ron will never be forgotten he was a quiet,gentle soul and he touched the lives of many working for the Family & Children's Society for the past 13 years.

Bob Kochersberger

November 23, 2014

I am sorry to read of Ron's death. I was a reporter and editor at The Evening Press throughout the 1970s and remember him well. My condolences.

Ron Witte

November 23, 2014

I am sorry to hear of Ron's passing. His dedication to girls basketball sports writing was greatly appreciated by the coaches and players.

Frank Bertoni

November 23, 2014

I am so sorry to hear of Ron's passing.He was a wonderful writer and i always enjoyed reading his articles. RIP

Rob Centorani

November 22, 2014

Sorry to hear of Ron's passing. I worked with Ron at the Binghamton paper for about 10 years. I've never been around a harder worker. His devotion to girls sports in Section Four will never be equaled. Ron was a good friend as well.

Rob Centorani

November 22, 2014

Sorry to hear of Ron's passing. I worked with Ron for 10 years at the Binghamton paper. I've never been around a harder worker. His devotion to girls sports in Section Four will never be equaled. He was a good friend as well.

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