Ronald Russel Seilkop

The world s most decent and loving guy, Ronald Russel Seilkop, decided to take the alternative to his next birthday and passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022. He checked out with his family all around him, holding his hands and expressing their love for him, and that love, of course, he considered his most valued possession. His only regret would have been that he didn t get to say I love you more while everyone said goodbye, so for those in the family and his friends who loved him, know that his heart and capacity to love was in fact bigger than all others, and he did love you more.
Ron started life on September 22, 1936, in Cincinnati, Ohio, born to Ruth Roettele Seilkop and Russel Fred Seilkop. Growing up, Ron was an athlete, a class clown, a scholar, and trusted friend. He was quite literally big man on campus, as he grew to be the tallest in his class and had a larger-than-life personality to go along with his stature. His humor was legendary, and everyone gravitated to him as his energy and spirit lit up any room. Even in the last years of his life, the nurses and doctors could count on Ron to tell the best jokes and turn the most dismal day into a bright one. Many who cared for him at Baptist East told his family how he was their best and favorite patient.
He truly never knew a stranger, and Ron lived life always in giving mode. It didn t matter who needed help, Ron went out of his way for everyone. Whether fixing a car, or buying Christmas dinner and toys for perfect strangers, there was nothing he enjoyed more than giving away his time, talent and treasure. He also enjoyed good bourbon, boating on the Ohio and most of all, family events and reunions. Many wedding videos are certain to have a recording of Ron with a bourbon in hand telling a great story or a humorous anecdote for the bride and groom to enjoy.
He was an electrical engineer by trade and with a degree from the University of Cincinnati, he worked the bulk of his career at Nolan and Nolan in Louisville. Many of the schools and hospitals throughout the city and in Oldham County have his work incorporated in their design. But his best work, and the job he did better than all others, was being a husband to Marilyn and a father to his children. He could have taught a master class in being a great spouse and dad.
Greeting Ron in heaven was hopefully a flurry of people, including his mom Ruth and dad Russ, many family members both young and old, including his brothers-in-law David MacInnis and Michael Coleman, his treasured Uncle Bob Roettele alongside his beautiful daughter (Ron s cousin), Sharon Roettele Walsh, his young great nephew Zane Coleman, and many departed dear friends. He left a bunch of us here on earth to continue his legacy of giving, including children Kim Lallemand (Brian), Jon Seilkop (Cheryl), Sondrah Laden (John), and Jennifer Dailey. In fairness, he thought of his children s spouses as his own he loved them deeply and wouldn t want a set of parentheses around their names. So many grandchildren, Travis, Elizabeth (Kevin), Riess (Tracey), Daniel (Heather), Jack, Kathlyn (Noah), Riley and Reed. As well as great grandchildren, Ashlyn, Makenzie and Liam. Incredible in-laws, who he liked better than his own family at times, including Debbie MacInnis Beach (Chris) and Marty MacInnis. And his favorite sister, Betty Lou Coleman, and her wonderful children and grandchildren, who he adored more than they knew, Kari Secor (Kyle), Matthew Coleman (Kris Thompson), Russ Coleman (Kimberly).
Now about this time, he d be saying this is long enough, people get it, you all thought I was pretty great and you guys loved me but we cannot end an obituary for Ron, as his mark on people will go on for at least another generation or two. So instead, we ll let this roll into an invite for his Celebration of Life. If you want to raise a glass to him, swap great stories and see the people he left his mark on most, come between 2 and 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, to Chestnut Hall Farm, 12611 U.S. Hwy 42 Prospect, Kentucky 40059.