Ronald “Ron” Zdroik, 66
Ronald “Ron” Robert Zdroik, 66, of Stevens Point, died Wednesday, December 19, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. Ron passed away peacefully at the Portage County Health Care Center surrounded by family. Special thanks to the nurses and other staff at the Health Care Center for their care and support of Ron and his family.
Ron was born on July 1, 1946 in Stevens Point. He attended local schools, graduating from PJ Jacobs High School.
Ron joined the United States Navy on January 5, 1966. He served his country during the Vietnam War. During that service, Ron received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with One Silver Star and One Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. Ron was wounded in battle during his service and earned the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged on November 5, 1969. He reenlisted in the United States Naval Reserve and was honorably discharged on September 6, 1971.
His marriage to Victoria de Leon took place on July 9, 1969 in Manila,Philippines. Ron and Victoria began their life together in Stevens Point in 1970.
Ron spent his entire law enforcement career with the Stevens Point Police Department after being hired on January 1, 1972. He served as a patrol officer and achieved the rank of corporal in 1989 and sergeant in 1996. He was also very involved with the special weapons (SWAT) team and volunteered with Special Olympics. He retired from the Department in 1999.
Ron was also an avid outdoorsman. He served as a volunteer warden for several years. He spent countless hours in a fishing boat on the Wisconsin River, Willow Flowage, and many other bodies of water. Ron also enjoyed hunting. He spent every fall since his teenage years deer hunting at the Dewey Marsh and other locations until his hunting accident in 2005. Ron also enjoyed traveling. He spent the last eleven winters traveling in his recreational vehicle to areas in the Southern and Western United States.
Ron is survived by his wife, Victoria Zdroik of Stevens Point; sons, Daniel (Kelly) Zdroik of Brentwood, California and Tony (Tracy) Zdroik of Western Wisconsin; “other son” Keith “Buck” Leary of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandchildren, Kaitlynn, Payton, United States Army Private Dylan, Claire, Phoebe, and Aubrie; sister, Linda (Rich) Rasmussen of Plover; nephew, Chad Rasmussen of Stevens Point; and many other beloved relatives and friends from California to Texas to Wisconsin and many points in between.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Grace (Kostuchowski) Zdroik.
Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 28, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Reverend Jerzy Rebacz officiating. Full Honor Guard will follow after the mass. Visitation to take place on Thursday, December 27, 2012 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home, 703 Second Street in Stevens Point and again on Friday from 9:30 am until the time of service at the church. Parish rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ron’s name will be established at a later date. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com