Ronald O. Steiner

Ronald O. Steiner, 69, of Madison died Monday December 2^nd with his wife by his side at Meriter Hospital following complications of a heart attack. He was born on March 9, 1939 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, the son of the late Elroy and Catherine (Wettstein) Steiner. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert J. Steiner of West Bend. He is survived by his wife Donna O'Leary, his children David (Alethea) of Tulsa OK, Michael (Michelle) of New Auburn, Douglas (Paula) of West Bend, and Janet (Kenan) Kolb of Rosemount MN; a stepdaughter Mary Ann (Bill) King of Fenton MI; his sisters Donna (Chuck) Niskey of Scottsdale AZ; Lori (Gene) Spaeth of West Bend; and Sue Steiner of Guerneville CA; sister-in-law Virginia Steiner of West Bend; brother-in-law Loyal (Gretchen) O'Leary of Sun Prairie; sister-in-law Ann Marie (Ron) Harma of Westlake OH; and twelve grandchildren: Dan & Megan, Quinn, Clay & Chloe; Kieran & Jaiden, Jessica & Ben, and Alexandra, Katie & Liam; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Pat Steiner of Plover. Ron graduated from West Bend High School in 1957 and always spoke of how proud he was to be the first freshman to receive a letter in cross country. He served in the army and upon his return began working as an apprentice in his father's electrical contracting business. He was affiliated with the electrical construction industry from age 14 until his retirement. Ron completed his IBEW apprenticeship program in 1963, and from 1960 to 1980 worked as an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, general foreman, estimator, project manager, contract manager, operations manager and business owner. In 1980, Ron joined the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) as Assistant Manager. He met his wife Donna that year and 13 years later they were married at Sacred Heart Missions in Kapalua Maui on March 26^th, 1993. In 1986 Ron accepted the position of Executive Vice President of NECA until his retirement in 2001. During that time Ron implemented a statewide electrical apprenticeship coordinator program, a statewide health and welfare program and receiving trust, and established multiple pension trust funds for the electrical workers. In 1994, Ron was recognized by national leaders of NECA for several industry programs he founded including membership programs and substance abuse prevention programs. In 1996, he was awarded the NECA National Association Executive Distinguished Service Award for his innovative contributions to the association. Ron was commissioned as a ""Kentucky Colonel"" by the Governor of Kentucky that same year. Other Kentucky Colonels include Winston Churchill, Lyndon Johnson, John Glenn, Bing Crosby and Red Skelton. In 1999, Ron received the Harold Breiby Award in recognition of his valuable service to the Wisconsin Chapter NECA. Ron was active with the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans for many years and served on national committees and its Voting Board of Directors. In 2001, when Ron retired from the Wisconsin Chapter NECA, the office building was rededicated the ""Ron Steiner Building"". In 2007, Ron was inducted into the Wisconsin Apprenticeship Hall of Fame for his exemplary service to the apprenticeship industry over the course of his career, including his service on the Wisconsin Apprenticeship Advisory Council and the Wisconsin Electrical Apprenticeship Committee, positions he held until 2006. Prior to his retirement, a UW Foundation scholarship fund was established in Ron's name which provides undergraduate scholarships to students enrolled in the Construction Engineering and Management program at the U.W. Madison. Ron loved hunting and fishing and enjoyed working in his garden and his woodshop. He was an avid Packer fan but also became a New York Jets fan in the 2008 season. Ron will be deeply missed by all who loved him and knew him for the good and decent and hardworking man he was. A memorial service to place Ron's ashes will be held in the Spring at Donna & Ron's memorial bench at Sunset Memory Gardens in Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ronald O. Steiner Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Scholarship fund #12/32233206, University of Wisconsin Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox, P.O. Box 78807, Milwaukee WI 53278, or to Independent Living, Inc., 815 Forward Dr., Madison WI 53711