Ronald Walter Bierwagen

Born in South Bend, Indiana on November 14, 1932 to Walter and Freda Bierwagen.

Ron's family moved to the Washington area when he was a young boy. Ron's father, Walter, made the name Bierwagen familiar, respected and perhaps feared in the nation's capital, because he organized the transit workers there , and became International Vice President of their union. Walter led the 54 day strike of the city's transit workers in 1953. He was on a first name basis with many on Capitol Hill and in the White House and was praised and respected for his dedication to the working man. Ron was always athletic and was a stand out pitcher at Greenbelt High School . He was in fact, offered contracts by the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Washington Senators. However, the Korean war was going on and he chose to join the Air Force for a 4 year tour of duty. He was eventually sent to Mildenhall, England. Two great things happened ; he pitched for the baseball team that won the Air Force Championship and received a letter from George Washington University offering him a baseball scholarship. After his honorable discharge from the military, his life took a new turn.

Ron met his wife, Carol, and within a year, they married. She was a former Redskinette cheerleader , artist and successful interior designer .

During the school years of their 2 children, he coached little league, Boys and Girls Club basketball, soccer and basketball.....ever the athlete.

Ron eventually worked at NASA for 28 years during the most exciting period in mankind's pursuit of space travel and exploration. His entire career at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center was spent in providing logistical support to the Manned Space Program, retiring as Director of the Network Logistics Branch. Ron was responsible for the worldwide NASA Tracking and Data Network for manned and unmanned missions.

He received a commendation from NASA stating that during Ron's time as head of logistics for the tracking and data network, “there were no launch delays” ...High praise indeed ,when the lives of the astronauts depended on it. Ron and his team did their job well.

He retired to Englewood, Florida after living in the Annapolis, Maryland area for years. Ron had hoped to spend his retirement years playing golf.

As a member of the Boca Royale Country Club, he had many friends and loved the

game. He looked forward to playing with his son, Chris and they won the Member Guest Championship in 2004 with subsequent flight wins in later years.

He and Carol loved to travel and went to many countries and enjoyed cruising and meeting new friends around the world.

Ron's greatest love was for his family. He leaves behind a legacy of love that includes his beloved wife of 66 years who loved him to the very end, Carol Ann Bierwagen (nee: Friedrich);

His loving and devoted daughter, Kari Bierwagen Schlieper (Howard of Orlando, FL); Grandson, Austin, (Priscilla, & great grandson, Wesley of Nashville Tenn.); Granddaughter, Jolie Schlieper Friedrich (Gabriel)of Jacksonville, Fl.)

Ron also leaves behind his loving son, Chris (Jill and 2 granddaughters, Cassidy of and Carly Bierwagen of Florida.;

He also leaves behind 2 nieces, Cyndy Hampton and Pam Kidwell and numerous other extended family members. Ron's sister, Marilyn Tompkins preceded him in death.

Ron will be remembered as the Gentlemen's gentle man. He was a man with no enemies, honest, kind, loyal to friends and family and modest in his many accomplishments. He had a great sense of humor and a ready smile.

His last years were unfortunately difficult and painful. He was struck while walking on the sidewalk by a train of grocery carts from which he tried to recover and regain his balance and ability to walk once more. He tried everything and was a warrior to the end.

Sadly, he was never to recover from his injuries, but always kept his wonderful sense of humor and smile.

He left a big hole in all of our hearts and we will cherish him forever.

In lieu of flowers, do a kindness for someone in need, in memory of our beloved Ron.

Funeral services with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, Florida