Ronald Deck
December 19, 1941 ~ September 9, 2010
Ron Deck, 68, Hillsboro, ND passed away Thursday, Sept 9, 2010 at his home surrounded by family.
Ronald Paul Deck was born December 19, 1941 to Paul and Marie (Hoffart) Deck in Harvey, ND. He attended grade school in rural Selz, ND. He graduated high school from Notre Dame Academy Willow City, ND. He then attended St. John's University in Collegeville, MN. He served in the US Navy from Sept 1961 thru Jan 1966. He served aboard the USS Little Rock and the USS Constellation as a veteran of the Vietnam War.
On October 22, 1965 he married Barbara Egan of Bremerton, WA. They moved to Carson City, NV where Ron got his crop spraying training. They then moved to Goodland, KS where he had his first crop spraying job. From there they went to Reno, NV where he completed his commercial license with instrument rating and instrument instructor in both fixed and rotary wing. He then moved to Bismarck, ND and worked for AgriChemical Aviation as a flight instructor.
In 1970, he began Deck Flying Service in Hillsboro, ND with a Piper J-3 Cub. Which is now Sky Tractor Supply and operating three turbine ag aircraft along with supplying aircraft parts worldwide, and being a number one leader in the GPS ag market. In March 2010 Ron was inducted in the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame.
He is survived by wife Barb; children: Peg (Tony) Klemetson; Cheryl (Steve) Fugleberg; Mike (Denise) Deck; Wendy (Jay) Alfson all of Hillsboro. Brian Egan, Lake Jackson, TX; and Audra (Gabe) Mayo, Fargo, ND. Fourteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his mother Marie Deck, Harvey, ND; sister Kathy (Merle) Moen, Rapid City, SD; brother Herb (Peggy) Deck, Round Rock, TX.
He was preceded in death by his father and brother Ken.
An H-509 Scholarship at Hillsboro High School and NAAA scholarship will be established with all memorials. You may send them to the Ron Deck Scholarship at Dakota Heritage Bank, PO Box 208, Hillsboro, ND 58045.
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Nassau, BahamasDear Barb and Family,
Ron Deck was a great person. I hope he is now spending some quality time with the darling Cinna.
My deepest sympathies go out to all of you. We all miss Ron.
tucson arizonaRon was one of my favorite cousins. I wish you and your family a quick recovery from your loss. Let the good memories comfort you now.
Love, Judy and Marv Weisenberger
pierre s.d.Think of you often. Thank you for all you have done for aviation and your fellow man.
Chandler AZ
Ron Deck Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. It was back in the 1950’s when we met the Deck kids at Notre Dame. It has been great meeting with you and talking about old times. Ron will be missed by many. Our prayers have been with you for the past couple of years and will continue for each of you. Remember those happy times with your loved one.
Doris and Lloyd
Onida SDTo Ron’s family,
You all have my sympathy concerning the loss of Ron.
I became acquainted with Ron several years ago at an SDAA convention. He was always very knowledgeable and helpful with educating me about new developments in our industry. I appreciated his patience and his genuine desire to get to know me better.
He was obviously a Christian man, and I know that he is with God now.
I will be praying for all of you for the courage and strength to go on with your lives, and that God will give you insight and peace of mind.
Gary L. Myers
Lincoln NebrasksDear Barb, Family, & Marie
Due to our profession, our paths crossed several times since Willow City. We always enjoyed talking about fond memories of home. We’re glad that Ron stopped to visit us and we’ll miss him. We will keep all of you and Ron in our prayers.
Jim & Janice Fix
Belle Fourche SDSo Sorry to hear about the passing of Ron – our prayers go out to the family. It was always a pleasure to visit with Ron and do business with him. He will be missed.
Sincerely,
Cyde & Pat Rische
To the family of Ron Deck.
Our deepest sympathies go out to you. Ron was a big part of Ag Aviation in ND
and the country. He will missed by us all!
Rio Rancho NMOne of the world’s greatest men. So sorry for the family’s loss.
Apache Junction ArizonaDear Barb and family. I am so very sorry for your loss. Ron was such a wonderful person and I’m so glad I had a chance to see and visit with him this summer. We had a few good laughs about the past. He will be greatly missed and my prayers are with you.
Barb, you and Ron were such a huge part of my life. I will miss Ron and I will always hold a special spot in my heart for him. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
God Bless
Bismarck ND
To the Family of Ron Deck and Mary,
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May you feel God’s comforting arms wrapped around you.
God bless you,
Richard W. and Sheri Hoffart
Fargo ND
Ron will be missed greatly by the entire Ag Aviation community. His tireless efforts to enhance their professionalism made a difference. May he meet his creator with the grace he displayed on earth.
Dale Faust
Crookston MN
Ron was always so polite to me & every one I knew. It will be different without Ron around.
Hayes SDWe will always miss you!
Clayton WIMy prayers are with you Barb. You and Ron were always such a great part of NAAA meetings for me. I know Ron is walking on gold streets. God Bless You! Judy
Wray CO Ron was always a true gentelman. I will miss him and it is safe to say that our industry will not be the same without him.
Wichita KSBarb and family we are so sorry for your loss of Ron. I always enjoyed his friendship over the years.
Redmond WAI’m very sorry to hear about Ron. I remember the whole family well. Vincent and Regina Seefeld were my parents. Living on the farm you just knew everybody in the surrounding area. Sunday morning church in Selz is where we mostly would see everybody. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Phoenix ArizonaI am so sorry for your loss. Ron was someone I believe helped me cut my teeth as a pesticide regulator. I was a greenhorn out of ND
SU out doing pesticide inspections and he helped me understand common sense regulation. I have thought of him often over the years, just wondering what he was doing as he was always active in so many things. I felt fortunate to have been able to learn from him. My prayers go out to his family in this time of sadness.
Fargo, ND
May you always fly with us in the blue skies above. May peace be with you all during this difficult times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bennington NEI just heard the news about Ron and wanted to let you all know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I will always remeber Ron’s great smile and sweet spirit.
Amherst OhioA great loss of a true friend. Ron had a big influence in my life.I will truly miss this wonderful man, but I will remember all of the good times we had and the things we endured in the few short years that we had as shipmates and the friendship we had over the years since.
johnson kSFlying forever in safer skies
Lower Brule S.DSorry to hear about the loss of a wounderful man. He will always be remembered, i will keep the family in my thoughts and prayers.
What a loss for our industry. Ron will be missed by all. My prayers go out to the family and staff at Sky Tractor. I’m sure he and Big Jack are discussing a few things by now. Love to all …Drew