Ronald Alan Press

GENEVA - Ronald Alan Press. A great one got away from us on August 5, 2025. We lost Ron peacefully after an extremely quick battle with AML Leukemia.

Born in 1942 and calling the Finger Lakes region home for nearly 60 years, Ron was a caring, thoughtful human who spent a career in healthcare administration. A realist, thinker and filled with humor, Ron was always the first to crack a dad (or grandad) joke or spam you with inappropriate (but relevant) memes. There wasn't a red-tailed hawk or hummingbird he didn't spot (and loudly point out) and you'd better know where that tire pressure gauge was that he kindly gifted you.

From collecting antique photographs to refinishing that end table for the third time, he maintained his tools and fishing equipment for decades, seeing no real need for the shiniest new thing. As a boat owner for over 50 years, Ron had a love/hate relationship with each of them. Always willing to lend a hand to family and neighbors or sending helpful medical links brought him joy, as did planting and harvesting 100 heads of garlic each year.

It was as important to him that his kids and grandkids knew how to filet a fish as it was imparting financial wisdom or learning the history of the Niagara Escarpment (again). Ron was active up until the end, swimming laps every week, tinkering around the house or volunteering as a handyman at the Geneva N.Y. Public Library. He appreciated culture and food and loved seeing new places, but not necessarily the "getting there" part of travel.

Beyond his wit and sarcasm - inclusion, education and fairness were at his core including a diverse extended family, friends and colleagues.

Ron was a graduate of Kenyon College (OH) where he was on the swim team and went on to earn an MBA at Cornell University with a full scholarship. He served two years as an officer in the United States Public Health Service and subsequently 36 years as a hospital administrator, mostly at Genesee Hospital in Rochester, N.Y., where he loved and respected the people and the institution.

Ron is survived by his loving wife Norma Press (Kalichman); son Vince Press; and daughter-in-law to-be Rachel Zickl; daughter Lara Press-Ellingham; and son-in-law Ron Ellingham; grandkids Max Press, Spencer Ellingham and Ruby Press; step-grandchildren Zie Ellingham, Morgan Ellingham and Ben Ellingham; sister-in-law Rhoda Hartmann (Kalichman); and brother-in-law David Hartmann, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members and friends.

Ron will be remembered with a small private ceremony followed by a larger celebration of life to be announced at a later date. Of course, cards, notes and memories are encouraged, and if interested, donations to the Foundation of the Geneva Public Library or the Leukemia Research Foundation would be welcomed.

Ron's family thanks the Critical Care Team led by Dr. Mary Anne Morgan at Strong Memorial Hospital ICU for their excellent care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ron's name to the Leukemia Research Foundation (https://leukemiarf.org/) or the Geneva Public Library (https://gplny.org/foundation-for-geneva-public-library/ ). To share a memory or condolence with the family, visit www.anthonychapels.com