Ronald B Schulten

Ronald Brendan Schulten, 72, of Crete, IL passed away January 13, 2022 after a brief illness. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years Jane Reynolds Schulten, his sons Keeler Schulten and Trevor (Karissa) Schulten and two beloved granddaughters Audrielle and Genevieve. He is also survived a brother Robert (Bridget) Schulten and three sisters Rene VanGemert, Christine Carter and Leigh Zaimes, as well as nieces and nephews.

Ronald was born in Easton PA and grew up in Darien CT. His first job was running the pony rides at his family-owned Old MacDonald’s Farm with its petting zoo, amusement park, and restaurant. He received a BA in Biology from Allegheny College. It was there he met his futurewife Jane.  He continued his studies at the University of Massachusetts where he earned a Masters and PhD in Botany. For his doctoral thesis he spent 3 summers studying plant life on Devon Island in the Baffin Bay region of Canada above the Arctic Circle.

He put his biochemistry skills to use managing the quality control laboratory for National By Products in Mason City IL. Always looking for a challenge and something different, he also worked for Acme Steel and McCann Group IT. Throughout his life, Ronald wasfirst and foremost an artist, teaching himself a number of metal working techniques to create hammered copper and forged bronze airplanes.

Ronald was happiest puttering in his garden, hiking a trail or enjoying a fine meal.  There wasn’t a topic of conversation he couldn’t add something to or a question he couldn’t answer. Brilliant, dynamic and full of life, he will be dearly missed.

A family celebration of his life will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Nature Foundation of Will County at willcountynature.org.

Arrangements entrusted to Crete Funeral Home, 1182 Main Street, Crete, Illinois Info:  (708) 672-7600.