Ronald L. Giles died peacefully in Madison on May 16, 2018, surrounded by his family.
Ron was born in 1933 in Oak Park, Illinois. The only child of Eugene and Sylvia (nee Altshul) Giles, he grew up in Joliet, Illinois. He was a U.S. Army veteran stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict and a graduate of Northern Illinois University. He married Carole (nee Spitzer) in 1960, and is survived by his wife, son Marc (James Huberty) of Chicago, and daughter Beth (Jeffrey Klinkner) of Cottage Grove.
In his free time, he was a model railroader and scale model aircraft enthusiast, hobbies that he enjoyed throughout his life. He was a Mason and a Shriner, and played trumpet well into adulthood. While living in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Ron and his family spent many years as members of the vibrant, welcoming spiritual community at Congregation Sinai in Fox Point, Wisconsin. He was a member of Peter Wollner American Legion Post 288 in Cedarburg, and was an avid supporter of his children's participation in drum and bugle corps, including the Thunderbolts of Cedarburg, the Phantom Regiment, the Spirit of Atlanta, and the Madison Scouts. In 2017, Ron and his daughter traveled to Washington, DC as part of the Badger Honor Flight.
A private graveside ceremony for immediate family will be held on May 31, 2018. Those wishing to pay their respects are invited to join family and friends at a celebration of Ron's life in the Evjue Community Room at the Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa Street, Madison on May 31 from 12:00-2:00 pm. Ron's family gratefully acknowledges the compassion and kindness of the staff at St. Mary's Hospital and all clinicians who cared for him in his later years. The family would also like to extend their sincere gratitude to Rabbi Renee Bauer and Jewish Social Services of Madison.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ron's memory to Badger Honor Flight (https://www.badgerhonorflight.org/donate).