Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

About

Johns Hopkins University University of California| Berkeley

FUNERAL HOME

Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Homes Inc. - Rockville

300 W. Montgomery Ave.

Rockville, Maryland

RONALD KISS Obituary

KISS RONALD KOLOMAN KISS Ron entered into God's Heavenly Kingdom on Saturday, April 8, 2017, after a 26 month battle with pancreatic cancer. He lived his busy life happily in Rockville, Maryland, surrounding himself with his wife of 54 years, June, and his three children, their spouses; and seven wonderful grandchildren, Navy Captain Thomas and Mary Beth Kiss of Chesapeake, VA, with Samantha and Charlotte; Timothy and Betsy Kiss of Rockville, MD, with Lauren and Ashley; Karen and Rick Ward of Bristol, TN, with Ricky, Brittany, and Katie. Throughout his life, Ron was involved with his passion for sailing, most recently his Flying Scot in Lavallette, NJ, where he served as Commodore of the Lavallette Yacht Club. He had a love for cruising and traveling anywhere and anytime. He also completed his autobiography for his family after his diagnosis. A graduate of Webb Institute '63 and University of California '65 with degrees in Naval Architecture, he worked at the US Maritime Administration from 1963-1982. He then served at the Pentagon as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ship Programs ASN for Research, Development, and Acquisition at the Department of the Navy until 1997. He ended his working years after serving as President of his alma mater, Webb Institute, in Glen Cove, NY, from 1998-2005, an honor for him. Ron was always involved in professional societies, having served as President of both SNAME and ASNE. The viewing will take place at Pumphrey's Funeral Home in Rockville on Monday, April 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The Mass will take place on Tuesday, April 18, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. and the burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Webb Institute 298 Crescent Beach Rd Glen Cove, NY 11542 or Sol Goodman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center (payable to JHU): Ralph H. Hroban, M.D. Johns Hopkins Medical Institution 600 N. Wolfe St Carnegie 417 Baltimore, MD 21287 Please note Ronald Kiss in the memo line of any donations. Please view and sign the family's online guestbook at:Please view and sign the family's online guestbook at: www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Apr. 12, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for RONALD KISS

18 Entries

BRUCE CARLTON

September 2, 2021

I only recently learned of Ron´s passing. I knew Ron from MARAD, in the 1970´s. A long time ago but a very fond memory of Ron. The consummate professional, straightforward, confident and willing to teach people like me who had no technical background in naval architecture. A fine person in all regards.

John Russell

April 6, 2020

What a wonderful, kind, competent person! His dedication to Webb has been unwavering. And, like me, he married up! We'll miss him.

April 25, 2017

Dear June, I am so sorry for your loss. I have been on travel and just now was able to read his obituary. Ron and I were class mates at the Harvard PMD program in 1973 and later we worked on the same floor at the Pentagon. He was a wonderful man and we kept in touch through the years. I send my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Ann O'Keefe

Kevin and Laura Gilroy

April 22, 2017

We are sorry for your loss.

Pat Burke

April 19, 2017

My condolences to June and the family on the passing of Ron. I was honored to be part of his administration at Webb Institute and will always remember his as a kind and fair gentleman. May he rest in peace.

Thomas Lamb

April 19, 2017

When I came to this country in 1966 to work at Maryland Shipbuilding Company I was elected Meeting Chair for the Baltimore Section of the SNAME. Ron was the Washington DC Meeting Chair. Through this we got to know each other. As we both moved on I always enjoyed meeting him and his wife at various events and kept up with his outstanding contributions to our business and SNAME.

I am really sorry to hear of his passing. He will be missed by his many associates

Alan Brown

April 17, 2017

We are so sorry. Ron was kind to so many people. We will not forget him. God Bless your family. Alan and Sally Brown

John Russell

April 15, 2017

June, I was a great admirer of Ron when we served on the Webb board together. My condolences.

Jim Sandison

April 13, 2017

A grand engineer and true gentleman. I am honored that he was my mentor. Ron was always the calm in the midst of the storm. Our naval architecture and marine engineering community will remember him as a great leader. I feel his loss profoundly.

Bud Schubert

April 13, 2017

So sorry to hear of Ron's passing. I always think of him as the bright young man who became a excellent boss.

Nick Dispenziere

April 12, 2017

Dear June and Family,
I was sorry to hear about Ron's passing. All the great memories came
rushing through my head; our high school days and all of our class reunions. Most of all I remember Ron as a great guy and someone with whom it was a pleasure to spend time with. He was a Gentleman and a Class Act.
We will all miss him.
God Bless,
Nick

Jan & Wendy Hope

April 12, 2017

I'm so sorry to learn of Ron's passing. I had the great good fortune to work for Ron in the Navy Secretariat when we were building the 600 Ship Navy and he was the legendary Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ship Programs. Ron was the finest boss anyone could ever have, he was a gentlemen and a scholar of the first water, and as Mo said, working for Ron was the highlight of my career. I don't want to claim any credit, but people always asked me what I thought Ron would do after he retired from Federal service and I used to tell them that he is destined to be President of Webb Institute, one of my few predictions that came true, and a grand president he was too! Ron will be truly missed by all who knew him and knew of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with June and the family.

Jackie Curry Jones

April 12, 2017

So sorry to hear about Mr Kiss. Saw in the POST. I worked for him a short at NAVSEA many years. He was such a nice man and I enjoyed working with him.Such a worker fro the time he arrived until later after quitting time. I worked him when your son attended the Naval academy. I had two sons in Desert Storm and we had many discussions. May he rest in Peace. Also Peace be with you and your family I

April 12, 2017

Ron and I go back to the days when I was first recruited for the SES program. In all that time and, despite all of the critical jobs that he held, he ALWAYS responded to any problem. His leadership of Webb institute engendered a grest modernization, accomplished with aplomb and forcefullness. He was a leader, a friend,and a brilliant naval architect.He was truly a unique individual. He will be sorely missed by all.

Don & Gloria Young

April 12, 2017

We are so sorry to hear about Ron. I fondly remember him at Webb and MARAD plus he and June attending our wedding. He will be missed.

Aunt Karen Morris

April 12, 2017

So sorry for your loss, you are all in my prayers

Mo Gauthier

April 12, 2017

Ron's contributions to his profession and our Navy are immeasurable. Working with and for Ron was a highlight of my career....always the gentleman who led by example.

Mark Bebar, Webb Inst. 1970

April 12, 2017

Ron was a wonderful person and a legend in the close-knit community of naval ship design and acquisition. One of the highlights of my career was interacting with Ron during his role as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ship Programs ASN. He was an ardent supporter of the International Hydrofoil Society and stalwart advocate for Webb Institute. Ron will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to work with him. My sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results