Ronald Blum
April 10, 1964 - November 22, 2022
Wichita, Kansas -
Ronald Scott Blum, Aeronautical Engineer, age 58, of Wichita, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Kalynn Blum; his sister, Cheryl Blum; his brothers, Randy Blum (Joann), David Blum (David Martinez). He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Betty Blum. Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 3, 2022, 10:00 am at Reformation Lutheran Church, 7601 E 13th St N, Wichita, KS 67206. Memorial Contributions have been established at Reformation Lutheran Church and EAA Young Eagles.

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Published by Wichita Eagle on Nov. 27, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Blum

31 Entries

Joe Thompson

November 21, 2023

I do miss Ron. A very decent, honest man who always tried to help and answer my endless aircraft questions.

Barbara Davis

January 6, 2023

It is a shock to find out about Ron. He worked in Flight Test with my husband, Cliff Davis, at Cessna. I was in the Flutter Group at Cessna so we ragged on each other a lot. He will be missed. My love to his family.

Andrew Stagg

December 3, 2022

I felt very blessed to get to know Ron through his work at Mooney and call him a friend. I enjoyed visiting with him at Mooney events, Oshkosh and recently enjoyed having dinner with him when my airline had me overnight in Wichita.

Ron has impacted countless lives with his kindness, passion, knowledge and humility. His passing is a huge loss not only to his family and friends, but to the entire aviation community as well.

His family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad I could attend the funeral today and meet more of them.

Andrew Stagg (N9453V)

CJ Farabaugh

December 3, 2022

I am so saddened to hear of Ron´s passing. He meant the world to me. I first met him when I was a college aerospace intern with Mooney Corp (2015) and we continued to stay in touch over the years. Mooney was my first job ever and I was lost & nervous but Mr. Blum took me under his (dihedral) wing. He was always very approachable, supportive, inquisitive, energetic and so very very smart. He had a way of explaining aerodynamics with fabulous examples. I relished those lengthy chats...It was perhaps the man thing that kept me going in my aeronautical career. Rest In Peace Mr. Blum, from a grateful young engineer I will never forget you.

CJ Farabaugh

December 3, 2022

I am so saddened to hear of Ron´s passing. He meant the world to me. I first met him when I was a college engineering intern with Mooney Corp in Chino back in 2015 working on the M10J and we continued to stay in touch over the years. Mooney was my first job ever and I was lost & nervous but Mr. Blum took me under his (dihedral) wing. He was always very approachable, supportive, inquisitive, energetic and so very very smart. He had a way of explaining aerodynamics with fabulous examples. I relished those lengthy chats...It was perhaps the number one thing that kept me going in my aeronautical career. Rest In Peace Mr. Blum, from a grateful young engineer I will never forget you.
CJ Farabaugh

Matt Tener

December 2, 2022

Seeing Ron after losing dad this year was such a ray of light in a dark place. His warmth, kindness, love of aviation and the people in it are one of the greatest points regarding his legacy. Passion, knowledge and experience are not things readily accessible or easily forgotten and Ron´s life is full of him being generous with all of it. The world is better for all he put in it but darker because now we have to wait to see him again. Tailwinds and VMC Ron.

Sibyl Hale & Family

Planted Trees

John Mininger

December 1, 2022

I first met Ron at Oshkosh. I don´t remember the year, but it was when the Mooney M10 project was still ongoing. He wasn´t there in any official capacity; he was there just sort of "hanging-out". We spoke for a while about Mooneys, and I remembered being very impressed with his knowledge of aerodynamics, and of Mooneys in general.
After that, I attended pretty much all the forums that he presented at Oshkosh through the years. I remember one time he gave two forums back-to-back and he left the mouse for his laptop on the podium of his last presentation. I had the privilege of retrieving it for him.
The last time that I saw him was at Sun n Fun this past April. He gave a presentation, and we talked in the hall afterwards for what must have been a half hour.
I was shocked when I heard of his passing.
Ron will be greatly missed in the general aviation world.
My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Ted Farwell

December 1, 2022

I worked for or with Ron at Cessna and Beech. Ran into him at OSH many times over the years. He was pretty close to being a force of nature. Although he didn't always suffer fools easily, he was always kind to this fool. He's gone way too soon and I will miss him.

Richard A Simile

December 1, 2022

Amazing Human Being. RIP my GOOD FRIEND!!

John Lock

November 30, 2022

I was very saddened to hear of his passing. My condolences to the family. I enjoyed working with Ron during his time at Cessna and then again with the ASTM F44 committee his contributions will be missed.

Michael Koonce

November 30, 2022

I worked with Ron at Cessna in Flight Test. He was an amazing mentor and friend. I will miss bumping into him at OSH and wish we had more time. My boys are just getting old enough to fly and was looking forward to seeing him again at the EAA. Our sympathies go out to all his friends and family.

Stuart Davis

November 29, 2022

I was shocked to hear the news that the nicest person I know was gone. Ron was blessed with the greatest since of friendship and joy to see everyone. His warmth and smile will be greatly missed.

Scott McMurtrie

November 29, 2022

Ron's Airplane in 2004!!

Scott McMurtrie

November 29, 2022

Very sorry to hear this news. I worked with Ron at Cessna and enjoyed several "fly-ins" at Lake Waltanna. May God comfort you during this difficult time.

Larry Van Dyke

November 29, 2022

Sorry to hear this. Going to miss him on ASTM F44 Committee.

Garret Moyer

November 28, 2022

My thoughts and prayers to the family and his wife Kalynn.

Wanda and Mike Flynn

November 26, 2022

Our Sympathies to Ron´s family. We will miss him!

Norm Ellis

November 26, 2022

Norm Ellis

November 26, 2022

Norm Ellis

November 26, 2022

He was enjoyable boss.

Paul Hajdu

November 25, 2022

Ron was a great influence in the local aviation community. He remembered all sorts of people, shared the nicest stories, volunteered at countless events, and made a great spokesman for general aviation. He had a great laugh, took the time to listen to others and if asked, openly shared his wisdom. Above all, Ron Blum was always a kind and gentle person.

It will be an adjustment not unexpectedly running into him at airports, seeing his smile and listening to his stories .

-Paul Hajdu

Cargill Retiree Group

November 24, 2022

We want to extend our sympathy to Ron´s wife and family members. His passing comes as a big shock to his Cargill retiree friends. Ron was a tremendous friend to our group and the Kansas Food Bank where Ron volunteered his time each week He will be greatly missed by all of us.

Farrell Rouse

November 24, 2022

Kalyan, I'm so sorry for your loss. Having been next door neighbors to Ron and you several years ago at Lake Waltanna, I've never forgotten Ron's kindness, concern for others, and your friendship. May he rest in peace.

Julie Barclay

November 24, 2022

I have known Ron since high school. He and had lockers together behind that glass door. We always talked and he was a great friend who will be missed. I am so glad we spent some time together and our reunion a month ago.
Julie Blevins Barclay

Mike Wireman

November 23, 2022

Both Ron and I are from Washington Illinois. We went to high school together, graduating in 1982. I can't say we were close friends but our paths crossed almost daily... often enough to be familiar acquaintances. End of story....until a few years ago. We unexpectedly bumped into each other at the Kansas Aviation Museum as volunteers...neither of us knew the other lived in Wichita. That was awesome and so unbelievably cool. This news is heart wrenchingly sad. Went west into the sunset but not alone...joining friends who went before. But way too soon and I will miss him.

Harold Walter

November 23, 2022

I have a lot of respect for Ron's knowledge, especially in Aviation. He has given great talks to EAA and OX5 Aviation Pioneer members. He will be greatly missed.

Kevin and Roberta Kammer

November 23, 2022

Ron was a terrific person and friend......always happy to talk with us and always willing to lend a hand whenever asked. We are so saddened to learn of his passing. The world has lost a great guy, but Heaven has gained one. Rest in peace Ron.
Kevin and Roberta Kammer

Adam Smith

November 23, 2022

I first met Ron while working for EAA in Oshkosh. He exemplified all that is good about the mission and spirit of that organization. When I moved to Exploration Place, it was lovely to reconnect with Ron, and to realize that he has been a tremendously positive force in the Wichita aviation community too. Ron will be very sadly missed. Blue Skies and Tailwinds.

Kent Dellenbusch

November 23, 2022

Ron's passing is a shock to the aviation community. He was loved by so many. It seems like just yesterday we were talking about another OSH together. We are so sorry to hear of Ron's passing. Into the West, our dear friend.

Joel Lee Thompson

November 23, 2022

Ron, Kathy and I miss you. You are a great gentleman, and everyone enjoyed being in your presence.

Joe & Kathy Thompson

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