Ronald Keith Hesche

Ronald Keith Hesche went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Appledorn Assisted Living South at the age of 92.

He was born on May 25, 1930, in Lowell, MI, son of Seymour and Beatrice. Ron is survived by his children, Dawn (Larry) Meiste, June (Gary) Walega, Ken (Lisa) Hesche, and Rhonda (Mark) Kuyers; eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Ron was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Mary; son, Larry; parents Seymour and Beatrice; sister Pat and husband Richard Smith. While growing up, Ron and his family lived on a multi-acre farm in Snow Township near Lowell, MI. Ron was a farmer’s son who learned all aspects of that lifestyle from his loving parents. Ron graduated from Lowell High School in 1948 and instead of continuing the family tradition of farming, Ron became the first in his family to pursue higher education, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Western Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Industrial Arts from Michigan State University. Ron was introduced to Mary as the coach of her softball team. He took a shining to her and, as they say, the rest is history. In 1952 they married and moved to Lake City where they lived for a year. Their next move was to Fennville where they remained for the next 42 years. Ron and Mary would eventually build their dream condo in Holland, remaining there until they moved together to Appledorn Assisted Living.

Ron was a public-school teacher for over 30 years in both the Fennville and Hamilton communities. During part of his tenure, he was an assistant coach for the Fennville football and basketball teams; he also coached golf for Hamilton High School. The disciplines he taught were a metal shop, wood shop, and agriculture. As FFA advisor in the Hamilton area, Ron was able to develop close relationships with his students, most of which were farmers themselves.

A devoted husband and a dedicated and loving father, Ron also loved Immanuel Reformed Church and the Fennville community at large. He was a man of faith, specifically, a faith in Jesus Christ and his top priority was that his children receive a solid Christian upbringing, which they did. In Fennville, he served on school boards, service clubs, golf leagues, church boards, bowling leagues, and other community-related activities. Despite all of the many roles he played away from the home, the family would always come first. Holidays, birthdays, and family vacations were activities that Ron truly relished and enjoyed.