Ronald L. Wilson

Ronald L. Wilson, an Eastern Iowa broadcaster, public television talk show host, and trade group representative for the emerging nuclear power industry of the early 1970s, passed away at his home in Toledo City, Philippines, on October 28 following a short illness. He was 76. A native of Cedar Rapids, Ron graduated from Jefferson High School, where he was a member of the Honor Society, and later earned a degree in history from Coe College. Showing an early interest in medicine, Ron took a part-time job at Ted's Pharmacy in Czech Village. Working late shifts on school nights, he often rode his ten-speed bike the several miles to his family's home after dark. An outdoor enthusiast, Ron made multiple trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and was an active member of the Eastern Iowa cycling club The Itinerantsâ€"a group that inspired Des Moines Register columnist Donald Kaul to organize the statewide bike tour that was later known as RAGBRAI. It was his college roommate at Iowa State University who first introduced Ron to broadcasting. Although enrolled as a pre-med student in his freshman year, Ron soon found himself spending more time at the student-run radio station KISU. With a natural voice for radio and an easygoing charm, he soon landed an on-air position at Cedar Rapids' leading music station KCRG, where he delivered newscasts in Mike Welch's popular Top-Forty show. It was in those years Ron recalled picking up the 1960s pop group The Cowsills at the airport for a pre-concert interview. Packed into his battered Javelin, the singers belted out lyrics to their Top 40 hit "The Rain, the Park & Other Things" (known as "Flower Girl") on the ride into town. A couple of years later, Ron was offered a field reporter job with KWWL-TV in Waterloo (Channel 7). In addition to covering local news, he interviewed prominent state officials, including Governor Bob Ray and Senator Harold Hughes. In the mid-1970s, Ron's broadcast career took another turn when he joined WGTV, the University of Georgia's flagship public television station near Atlanta. There, he hosted talk shows featuring notable guests of the era, including Erich von Däniken, author of the best-selling book Chariots of the Gods. In the years that followed, Ron made Georgia his homeâ€"a place where he could enjoy the company of family and be with longtime friends. By the close of the decade, he left his broadcast career behind and signed-on as spokesman for a trade group representing the rapidly growing nuclear power industry. During his many travels abroad he discovered the Philippinesâ€"and determined that this was where he wanted to live. In retirement, Ron and his devoted companion Johanna, a professional in the Hospitality Industry, settled in Toledo City on Cebu Island in the southern Philippines. Son of Glenn and Cecilrae "Betsy" Wilson, Ron is survived by his brother, Jeff Wilson of Austell, Georgia; Sue Ellen Wilson (Lyons) of Austell, Georgia; and De Ann Wilson (Stephenson) of Orlando, Florida. His younger brother, Dean, passed away in 2019. Rest in peace.