Ronald (Ronnie) DiGiovanni

Ronald Michael DiGiovanni (Ronnie D.) age 76 of Lenexa, Kansas peacefully left this earth on Tuesday, September 29th surrounded by his family after a brave battle with lung cancer. He was taken far too soon and leaves behind his loving wife Jackie, his children Sara, Jennifer and Sal (Lauren) DiGiovanni, and Brian Christie (Jessica), nine grandchildren - Anthony, Ethan, Halie, Isabella, Skielar, Katarina, Samantha, Camryn and Bennett and one great grandson, Jeremiah.

Known by many nicknames - R.D., Ard, Robbie, Ramsey, Pops, Beef, “The Beefaron,” Chef Boy RD, Johnson and many more, Ronnie was loved and respected by most everyone he met, always known as “a really good guy.”

Ronnie was born to Salvatore (Sam) and Ethel DiGiovanni on December 15, 1949, in Kansas City, MO, a place he called home for many years. In his early years, among other things, he assembled waterbed frames at Temple Slug, then went on to work for his father at Happy Hollow Liquors until the sale of those stores in 1985, after which he pursued a career in the wholesale wine and liquor business.

In June of 1990, he married Jackie (Cade, Christie) DiGiovanni, and they enjoyed more than 36 years of marriage building a life with their blended families, moving to Lenexa, Kansas in 1993. Ronnie and Jackie enjoyed many years of entertaining family and friends, creating gourmet meals with exquisite wine, pairings, laughter, jokes, and unforgettable entertainment. Later in life, after retiring from the wholesale business, Ronnie began baking cheesecakes for local restaurants, most notably for J.J.’s Restaurant on the west Plaza. His cheesecakes, created from a long-time family recipe, became very popular with friends and family. He enjoyed woodworking, and had a short-lived attempt at creating bonsai trees, a hobby he abandoned after killing more than money would allow him to replace. Model cars were a serious hobby for several years until he lost his eyesight in one eye, making his painting and assembly techniques a bit less than perfect.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents Sam and Ethel, his sister Cynthia and brother Joe. He is survived by his wife, four children, grandchildren, great grandson, his sister Maria Howard (Tommy), nieces Angela, Ashley and Roseann, and nephews Adam (Mandy), Sean (Gretchen), and Travis (Amy).

The family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to the nurses and physicians at The KU Cancer Center at Westwood, The University of Kansas Hospital Cambridge Unit 11, and the Kansas City Hospice staff, all of whom made Ronnie’s journey more comfortable, including the unwavering support of the family during this stressful time.

Multitudes of thanks also must be extended to Ronnie’s family and friends who demonstrated unprecedented care and attention to those of us left in the wake of our deep grief and sorrow over Ronnie’s untimely passing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in his memory to The University of Kansas Health System Cancer Center, or you may submit a check to The University of Kansas Health System, Attn: Fund Development, 11300 Corporate Ave., Mailstop 9241, Lenexa, KS 66219.