Ronald N. Marso, 84, of Bowling Green passed away peacefully on January 27, 2024 at Brookdale Senior Living. He was born in Hurley, South Dakota.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree from General Beadle State Teachers College in Madison, South Dakota, then continued his education at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado earning a Masters Degree, and completed his Doctorate from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He went on to Bowling Green State University and was a faculty member at the College of Education, Department of Educational Foundations and Inquiry.
Ron was born and raised in Hurley, Parker and Sioux Falls, South Dakota and as a boy attended Boys State. Leaving home he went to meat cutting school in Toledo, Ohio, to learn a trade so he could pay for college. He worked at various jobs throughout his education; his most memorable in a grocery store where he was assistant manager and in charge of the produce section.
He was a great asset to BGSU, teaching, developing programs, doing research, publishing, and working in many administrative positions. He came to the College of Education at BGSU with a new doctorate, planning to stay for a few years, but BGSU is where he stayed. He taught both undergraduate and graduate courses and served on 2-5 master’s or doctoral level dissertation committees in any given year.
The administrative positions he held at BGSU are as follows: Vice Provost, Continuing Education, Regional and Summer Programs, 1979-1982; Vice-Dean for University Off-Campus Instructional Programs, College of Education; Graduate Programs, and College of Education Summer Programs, 1975-1979; Director of University Extension Programs, Assistant Dean, College of Education for Extensions and Resources, 1973-1975; Assistant Dean, Graduate College, for Research and Special Projects (Director, University Research Service Office), 1970-1973.
Ron was a loving, caring and faithful husband, brother, father and grandfather. He celebrated his birthday on July 4th, fondly saying that the whole country celebrated with him with fireworks. He was very generous, supporting many charities. He enjoyed gardening and grew many beautiful flowers. Ron and Cathy enjoyed traveling with their travel trailer, visiting friends and family and seeing many beautiful places. They spent several winters in Florida, enjoying the warm weather and laid-back lifestyle, making many new friends in their retirement community.
Ron is survived by his wife Catherine Long Marso; son Rodney (Linda Pate) Marso; daughter Cindy (David Breen) Marso; grandchildren: Callie, Megan (Alex) Root, Molly (Torin) Power, and Nicholas (Sarah) Breen; great grandchildren: Thatcher Root, Scotty Root and Lulie Power; bothers: Pat (Kathleen) Marso of and Garland (Jeanne) Marso; sisters-in-law: Pat (Gary) Marso and Jo (Thomas) Marso and Cathy’s children: Holly Spencer and William (Nicole) Long; grandchildren: Justin Spencer, Devin (Stephanie) Spencer, and Nathan Spencer, Grace Long, and Cora Mae Long; great-grandchildren: Elaina and Vivian Spencer, Lane Spencer and Brantley Maidment. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Thomas (Jo) Marso and Gary (Pat) Marso and his first wife of more than 50 years, Patricia (Koller) Marso. Ron had a very special relationship with his grandson Nicholas who was raised in Bowling Green. They not only were grandfather and grandson, but friends as well. They had many adventures together as Nicholas was growing up.
Visitation will be on Friday, February 2nd, 10:00 am -12:00 pm, with funeral service beginning at 12:00 pm. at Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home, 1460 W. Wooster Street, Bowling Green. For those unable to attend in person, the celebration of life service will livestream via The Hanneman Family Funeral Homes Facebook Page. Friends and family are invited to lunch in the banquet hall of the funeral home following the service.
Memorials may be to BGSU Foundation, Trinity United Methodist Church in Bowling Green, or charity of choice.
Online condolences as well as fond memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.
