RONALD SHELP

1941 - 2021

SHELP--Ronald K., age 79, passed away on August 15, 2021, surrounded by family at his home in Manhattan. Ronald was born September 29, 1941, in Cartersville, GA, to Willie and Clarence Mulkey. Ronald received degrees from the University of Georgia and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and pursued a doctoral degree from the London School of Economics, which went on to form the basis for his first book, Beyond Industrialization. Ronald had a long and varied career, starting as a debt collector, traveling fruitcake salesman, and FBI typist. He would go on to become the youngest vice-President at the insurance giant AIG at age 32, a position which enabled him to travel across the world, particularly to South and Central America where he became fluent in Spanish. He went on to join the Celanese Corporation as Corporate Vice President, and served simultaneously as CEO and President of the New York City Partnership and the New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ronald would later author Fallen Giant: The Amazing Story of Hank Greenberg and the History of AIG. Ronald, together with his wife of 39 years, June, would go on to collect an extensive collection of art from the American South. The collection has been on a national exhibition tour and is the subject of the book Testimony: Vernacular Art of the African-American South. Ronald was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and served on the boards of various organizations. Ronald is survived by his wife, June, and their two sons, Kent and Russell. A memorial service will be held at a later date. For information or to participate in the memorial, emails to: ronald.shelp.memorial@ gmail.com are encouraged.