Tributes to Ron Ditzfeld have been pouring in since his death at the age of 72 on Tuesday at Bothwell Regional Health Center.

Here are some thoughts from some of his biggest admirers:

From State Fair Community College:

“It is with much sadness that I ask you to keep the family of Ron Ditzfeld in your thoughts and prayers as we have received news of his passing.

Ron was a tremendous supporter of State Fair Community College and blessed us with his heart, soul and service. Personally, he was a dear friend to me and so many at the college and throughout our community. His passing leaves a very big hole in our hearts.

Since 2006, Ron’s company, Ditzfeld Transfer, Inc. transported artwork from throughout the United States to the Daum Museum for its exhibitions. In 2011, he joined the SFCC Foundation Board of Directors and contributed to the foundation’s major capital campaigns and athletic scholarships. Ron was instrumental in the startup of the college’s Commercial Driving Academy, and his charter service has transported our Roadrunner sports teams to away competitions.

After Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston, Texas, area in August 2017, Ron approached SFCC and Smith-Cotton to help collect items and provided trailers and transportation to get those supplies to the people affected by the storm. He also hosted a lunch with NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer and SFCC Career and Technology precision machining students earlier that year.

Ron was a recipient of the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) Business & Industry Award in 2013 and the MCCA Award of Distinction in 2017.

Ron truly has left his mark on our campus community in so many ways, and for that, we are forever grateful for his life and his legacy.

Sincerely, Dr. Joanna Anderson, SFCC President”

From the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce:

“We were very saddened to hear the loss of a great community leader in Sedalia. Ron will be greatly missed. He was a loyal Chamber member for many years. Ron was very generous in supporting the Sedalia Chamber and many other Non-Profits in the community.”

EDSPC
EDSPC
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From Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County:

The Economic Development Office is horribly saddened to hear about the passing of local businessman, supporter, and loved one, Ron Ditzfeld. We don’t quite have the words to express what he meant to us professionally, but more importantly, personally.

Our Executive Director, Jessica Craig, worked closely with Ron and knew he was always a phone call away. She mentions that “day by day and out of the goodness of his heart, Ron touched every part of our community and will do so for generations to come”.

Ron was a father, son, brother, friend, business man, a shoulder to lean on and so many other things to this community. He will be missed terribly, and we send our thoughts and prayers to the Ditzfeld family and business.

Throughout the year, Ron was involved in all of our events, and always supported us in that way. Which was wonderful, because it wasn’t a party without Him. We lost a wonderful person, but will remember all the impactful things he did for our office, this community, and how he lived a fearless, and happy life.

From Don's Truck Towing:

“It has been a rough few days. This morning our good friend and business partner passed away. Ron Ditzfeld will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt prayers are with his family and friends.”

His obit gives many more details of his life:

Ronnie Joe Ditzfeld was born on November 22, 1948 in Sedalia, the son of John Wesley Ditzfeld, Jr. and Anna Bernice (Grose) Ditzfeld who preceded him in death.

On March 18, 1972 in Sedalia, he was united in marriage to Susie L. (Winheim) Ditzfeld, who preceded him in death on September 4, 1990.

Ron was a 1966 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School. He served two years in the US Army at Fort Bragg. He worked with his father in the family business, Ditzfeld Transfer, Inc. and became president of the company in 1996. Ron was very active in the Sedalia community, serving on the board of several organizations including CHS Cooperative Workshop, Sedalia Airport and the SFCC Foundation. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Ron's civic and philanthropic involvement included: JROTC program, Daum Museum at State Fair Community College, Sacred Heart Foundation, Child Safe of Central Missouri, Inc., Sedalia/Pettis County Development, Sedalia Bomber Baseball, and local /nation-wide disaster relief efforts. In 2008, he was awarded the Freedom Torch Award because of his dedication to the Sedalia community. In 2012, he was named Smith-Cotton High Schools' Distinguished Alumni. In 2017, he won the Missouri Community College Association Award of Distinction and was named as one of 50 Missourians You Should Know by Ingram's Magazine.

Survivors include two sons, Steven W. (Lisa) Ditzfeld and Samuel B. (Lisa) Ditzfeld all of Sedalia; four grandchildren, Taylor and Rylee, Lincoln and Kennedi; and a brother, Donnie Ditzfeld of Sedalia.

A graveside service and burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the United States Army and Sedalia VFW Post #2591. It was Ron's and his family's request that private, family-only service be held due to the pandemic.

A Celebration of Life gathering of family and friends will be announced at a later date.

Honorary bearers will be the Smith-Cotton High School JROTC.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Smith-Cotton High School JROTC program or SFCC Foundation. Donations may be mailed to Rea Funeral Chapel, 1001 South Limit, Sedalia, Mo., 65301.

Don Weaver
Don Weaver
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