Ronald F. Trefzger

Ronald F Trefzger, loving husband of Barbara Trefzger (Briede) for 53 years. Proud father of Cris (Kelly), John (Kristen) and Joe (Amanda). Cherished grandfather of Madelyn, Caden, Meghan, Ian, Lucas and Jackson Trefzger.
As a young man Ron was an accomplished springboard diver and was invited to join the US Navy diving team, but orders to report for duty on the USS America took precedence. After serving in the Navy during the Vietnam war including in the Gulf of Tonkin, he worked for the Bell Telephone company where he met Barb.
He joined the Cincinnati Fire Department in 1970. For several years he worked alongside fellow firefighter, Dick Merz, in Dick's remodeling and construction business. After retiring from the fire department in 1996, Ron and Barb volunteered in state parks and national forests for many years, living in their 5th wheel "home". He was an avid cyclist and especially loved biking on the Blue Ridge Parkway while volunteering in Virginia's George Washington National forest. He also loved snow skiing and took two skiing trips to Europe.
Ron was so proud of his 3 son's and loved the fact they each inherited the Trefzger sense of humor which many would consider strange. He was there for baseball games and soccer games and loved the camping trips to Cave Run Lake where he pulled the boys waterskiing and tubing and delighted in the fact that he could make them fly off the tube. He was a smart and patient mentor to them, teaching them how to be in the world. He was delighted with the arrival of each grandchild and loved them dearly. A new audience for his jokes.
Ron was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019 and moved to Northgate Park Assisted Living facility in May, 2022. He was known there as the Piano Man because he could often be found playing piano (badly) in the activity room. He was happy there playing pool and making his fellow residents laugh. He had many friends there.
He passed away peacefully June 10th from complications of a fall. Tissue was donated to the Life Center Organ Donor Network and after cremation his ashes will be placed in burial tree pods and planted in locations special to him. A celebration of life is planned for August 10th at Fernbank Park. If desired, donations to The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research/Grand Central Station/P.O. Box 4777/New York, NY 10163-4777 (http://michaeljfox.org)