Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nov 19, 1945 – May 29, 2018 (Age 72)
Rongey, Kenneth Dr. Kenneth Arven Rongey died peacefully on May 29 of complications from Parkinson's disease. He was surrounded by family at his passing. He was 72. Ken was a family man, anesthesiologist and fisherman. He found much reward in his work as an anesthesiologist at Blodgett Hospital...
Read MoreI was intraining with Ken at UCLA. From the description of others who knew him throughout his life it seems he was consistently a delight to be around and a superb clinician. The world has lost a superstar.
Jeffrey S. Lee, Los Angeles, Ca.
December 22, 2018
Elaine, Eric and Andrea,
I was so sorry to read of Ken's passing. Ken and I first met in 1954 when we both started the 3rd grade at Hay-Edwards school in Springfield, Illinois. Living around the corner, we became close friends and did many things together. I was disappointed when Ken's family returned to Granite City after our second year in high school. Ken's qualities that were so evident in his professional life were evident in his early years. As our lives take us in different...
David Marko
August 22, 2018 | Lakeland, FL
I was a patient of Dr. Rongey. He was my anesthesiologist when I had my cancer surgery. Some people are afraid when they go into surgery for cancer. My situation was different. I had had 3 bad experiences with the intubation process. The first time I almost died. The next two were unsuccessful in intubating me so the medical procedures were unsuccessful. One cost me some of my hearing,
At the meeting where we set up the surgery, I asked for a recommendation of an anesthesiologist who was...
Patricia Gerhardt
August 17, 2018 | Norton Shores, MI
Oh Elaine, I am so very sorry.
Chantal Van Heest
June 11, 2018
Our thoughts & prayers go out to you Elaine and to all of your family. We were so saddened to hear of Ken's passing. Jim has such fond memories of their wonderful visits at the Barber Shop in Granite City & also in Maryville. You have our heartfelt sympathy.
Jim Morgan
June 03, 2018 | Maryville, IL
So sorry for your loss. He was a kind man.
Cheryl Orahood
June 03, 2018 | Pensacola, FL | Classmate
My heartfelt sympathy to you Elaine, and all of the family. Ken is now resting in peace. I have always remembered his compassionate care when he was my anesthesiologist for my surgery so many years ago.
Linda Fletcher
June 03, 2018 | Grand Rapids, MI | Friend
Oh the childhood stories I have heard from my dad, Jim Ottwell of summers spent in Pearl Illinois with "Rongey". So sorry to hear of the passing of this great man. My sympathies to you Elaine, Eric and Andrea
Lee Ann Pepper
June 01, 2018 | Pearl, IL
I had the pleasure of working with this compassionate, charming, and witty gentleman at BMMC from 1979-2005. We shared a taste for okra and he always brought me back a bag of it whenever he went down home! I asked him once to write me a letter of recommendation and he hand delivered it to me the next day typed and signed. It was the nicest letter I ever read and I still have a copy of it to this day.
I will remember him always.
connie van lente
May 31, 2018 | Grand Rapids, MI
