Ronald Stander

1944 - 2022

Stander, Ronald

October 17, 1944 - March 8, 2022

Ronald Stander was born October 17, 1944 in Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina. Ronald passed away March 8, 2022 at his home with his loving wife, Toddy Ann, and his kitty, Sissy, by his side. He moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa at a young age. Attended Washington School at age 4. From there, he attended Bloomer School, where he told stories of being a catcher for Stan Bahnsen. He attended Abraham Lincoln High School, where he excelled in sports. In track, he was always trying to outthrow his record for shot put. He went to State two years in a row for wrestling. But his greatest love was football and with Albert Milner as his partner, they were able to rack up the points.

After graduating in 1962, he attended Northwest Missouri in Tarkio and Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa with Football Scholarships. Soon after college, he became interested in boxing.

His natural athletic abilities carried over into boxing under the guidance of Leonard Hawkins. He began training for the Midwest Golden Gloves Tournament in February of 1967. He was awarded, The Charlie Moon Award for Outstanding Prospect. In 1968, he was the Omaha City Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion and again in 1969. He also received the Sammy Williams Award for Outstanding Fighter in March of 1969. That same year in July, he began his professional career in boxing. From 1969 through March of 1972, he won 23 matches (14 were KO's) with 1 draw and 1 loss, then on May 25, 1972, at the Omaha Civic Auditorium, The World Heavyweight Championship Fight with Joe Frazier was stopped in the 5th round, due to facial cuts that required 17 stitches. He ended his career in 1982 with a record of 61 fights, 28 knockouts, with the most notable being against Ernie Shavers, who landed face-first on the mat. Ron said, "His punches were like being hit by a nightstick." During Ron's career, the referees never ever did a count of 10 over him.

After boxing, Ron still was in the ring as a referee. He said, "I still get to be in the ring and call the shots and not feel them." He worked as a referee for ESPN and USA Network, besides regular boxing events.

Ron furthered his career on the East Coast as a member of bouncers and bodyguards. Some of the most notables he was privileged to bodyguard were Liza Minnelli, Tom Jones, Gene Hackman, The Rolling Stones, and the Eagles. On the "Hotel California" album, the Eagles give special thanks to Ron Stander.

During his lifetime, Ron has had wonderful experiences and met lots of people that have become friends. Jack O'Halloran invited him to England when he was doing The Superman Movie. Ron got to meet Christopher Reeve. Redd Foxx always had a VIP table waiting for him whenever he was in Vegas. Evel Knievel, who shared the same birthday (October 17) spent over a week with Ron in Omaha. They had a great time hanging out a Paul's Motorcycle Shop in Council Bluffs. Ron loved to race stockcars and was Number 99 at Playland Park. He always said, "99 on your Program, Number 1 in your Heart." Mad Dog Vachon was another great friend. He loved to play Cribbage with Ron and Toddy Ann. Hollywood came calling and he found himself in a movie with Sean Penn. Another movie that played at the AMC Theater in Omaha on November 14, 1997 called, "The Mouse," had Ron at the beginning with Burt Young.

Ron worked as a skilled machinist at Vickers Manufacturing Company until it closed. A most informative booklet about Ron's boxing career was written and published by his promoter, Thomas Lovgren. A film documentary about Ron "The Bluffs Butcher" Stander by Andrew Batt was aired on Public TV Network.

At his 45th class reunion, Ron reconnected with a gal he had a crush on in high school. Her husband had passed 6 years before. After a year of dating, they were married on Halloween in 2008. Since both were retired, they had an opportunity to do some traveling to Alaska, California, Arizona, Texas and a West Coast trip on Amtrak.

Ron will always be known as the guy with a big heart, a firm handshake, a big smile following with a joke or two.

Ron never knew a stranger, they were just a friend he had never met. If he shook your hand, he considered you a friend. But if you asked him a stupid question, you got a stupid answer with a smile and a twinkle in his brown eyes. He will be missed by all his fans that knew of him, those that loved him and his family that he always said, "Love you more."

Preceded in death by parents, Marie and Frank Stander. Survived by his loving wife, Toddy Ann, who adored him and referred to him as her hero; his children: Frank Stander (Judy Compton), Angie Carberry, Ryan Stander (Chyanne Walker), Rowan Stander (Erin Koerselman); grandchildren, the children of Frank and Robin Stander: Brooke (Dan) Baker, Jake (Amanda McClanahan); son of Mike and Angela Carberry: Harley Carberry; children of Ryan Stander: Mia Brown, Sabella Stander, Xavier Stander; children of Rowan Stander: Nala Stander, Rowan Stander, Sebastian Stander, Marabelle Stander.

He will be missed by the Cundall Family, his numerous cousins, as well as special friends he named: Sunflower Sue and Foxy French.

VISITATION: Sunday, March 13, 2022, from 2-6pm, at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, March 14, 2022, 11am, at Holy Name Catholic Church, 2901 Fontenelle Blvd, Omaha, NE. The family will direct memorials.

HOY - KILNOSKI FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY

1221 N. 16th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

(712) 256-9988 | www.hoyfuneral.com