Ronald Martin Grogan

Ronald Grogan, 91, passed away at home surrounded by family on Sept. 16, 2025. Ron was born to William Joseph and Florence (Selig) Grogan on Oct. 15, 1933 in Netcong, NJ. Ron is survived by his high school sweetheart (and wife of 70 years), Patricia (Midgley) Grogan, daughters Pam (Warren) Kicklighter, Janice Schreiber, and Patti Grogan (David Teek) and son John Grogan. Ron was predeceased by his oldest son Palm Bay Police Officer Ronald Grogan, parents, and siblings - twin brother Don, brother Jack and sisters Pat Walsh , Beverly Quinn and Judy Grogan. Ron was “PopPop” to 6 grandchildren - Billy Fazio, Karl Fazio, Mackenzie Teek, Veronica Teek, Miles Grogan and John Grogan; 3 step-grandsons Troy, Brett and Bart Kicklighter; 2 great-grandchildren Mia and Avery Fazio, 5 step-great-grandchildren Caitlin, Samantha, Bailey, Savannah and Connor Kicklighter; and one step-great-great granddaughter Malia DeFiore.

Ron grew up in Netcong, NJ graduating from Netcong High School in 1950 at 16 years old. He enlisted in the USAF and served 4 years during the Korean conflict as a flight radio communications specialist. Afterwards, while working at Picatinny Arsenal, Ron attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology on the GI bill where he received his Electrical Engineering degree. He worked for numerous engineering companies over his varied career in the aerospace industry. Ron worked on ground launch systems for the Apollo manned-space program at Kennedy Space Center until the program ended at which time he transferred to Seattle Washington with the Boeing Company. While there, he managed the design team for the on-board software for the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and traveled extensively demonstrating the systems in Germany, England and the Paris Air show. Returning to Florida, Ron worked on the ground control systems for the Space Transportation System LOX/LH2 loading ops in support of Space Shuttle launches. Ron continued his career working on numerous design engineering projects for NASA’s launch and landing programs, and other aerospace related endeavors.

Away from the job, Ron was an avid fisherman and instilled in his children and grandchildren the love of fishing and the ocean. He also enjoyed golf and cooking on the backyard grill. In the last years of his life, Ron suffered with dementia and was lovingly cared for by his wife Pat.

No formal services are being planned but a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Ronald Grogan Memorial Scholarship at EFSC in memory of Ron’s son is appreciated.