Ronald Frederick Green

Ronald Frederick Green, age 80, of St. Peter, MN, died March 21, 2010 at Rivers Edge Hospital in St. Peter.

A service in celebration of Ron's life will be held at First Lutheran Church on Friday morning, March 26 at 11:00 am, with family visitation on Thursday evening from 4:00-7:00 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to First Lutheran Church, Project MN/Leon, or the Ronald F. and Donna J. Green Scholarship Endowment Fund at Gustavus Adolphus College. St. Peter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ronald Frederick Green was born May 21, 1929, to Raymond and Sophie (Monson) Green in Donaldson, MN, growing up on a farm near Swift and Warroad, MN. After graduating from Warroad High School, he earned his associate degree in Education at Bemidji State University. He joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan from 1951-54, then completed his bachelors degree at Bemidji. After teaching in Roseau, Warroad, Chisholm, and Duluth, he earned his masters in Education from the University of Minnesota/Duluth, and served as principal of the University Laboratory School before going on to Indiana University to earn his doctorate in Education in 1969. While at Indiana he earned the Phi Delta Kappa Alpha Chapter outstanding doctoral student award, and taught at the university for an additional year. He then taught at the University of Wisconsin/Eau Claire and the University of Minnesota before joining the Education Department at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he served as Chairman of the Department from 1976-86, earning the Gustavus Adolphus College Service Award for service to college and community in 1990. In 1991 he earned both Minnesota Reading Association and International Reading Association Awards for service to reading and literature.

Ron was a member of First Lutheran Church, serving as superintendent of the Sunday School from 1978-84, and had long-time membership in the First Lutheran handbell choir. He was on the Executive Board of Project MN/Leon Nicaragua for seven years, traveling to Nicaragua five times to deliver educational and medical supplies, and also continued active involvement with the Wisconsin Reading Association during four years of retirement teaching at the University in Eau Claire. Upon returning to St. Peter in the fall of 1999, he served as archivist for the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association with offices in St. Peter. He served as president of the MN Gymanfa Ganu Association, and continued on its Executive Board.

Most of all Ron loved his family. He married Donna (Kumm) in August of 1963. They raised three children, all sharing his interest in literature and his passion for global concerns: Sara and husband, Ron Stewart of Madison, WI " Emily and husband, Jim Manolis with children, Sophia and Jay of Minneapolis " Philip and special friend, Adele Smith of Waukegan, IL. An inspiration to family and to so many others whose lives he touched, Ron loved the arts and poetry. He was reciting his favorites until his final days.