Ronald Jack Minarcini

Ronald Jack Minarcini, age 93, passed away in Naples, Florida on August 21, 2026. Beloved husband of the late Joanne (nee Gallagher); loving father of Susan Minarcini Walters, (Jerry); proud grandfather of Meghan Walters Price (Wes), and Douglas Walters; proud grandfather-in-law of Wes Price; and caring uncle, friend and neighbor to many.

Ron was born and raised on his family’s small dairy farm in Rib Lake, Wisconsin. His parents were Paul and Susan Minarcini and he was the youngest of 5 children. He was a loving brother to Paul (deceased), Emily (deceased), Pauline (deceased), and Dorothy (deceased). He was always interested in the lives of his nieces and nephews and remained close with many of them.

Ron excelled at Rib Lake High School and was named Outstanding Athlete at graduation. He ran track and played both softball and basketball, His senior year he was the starting forward for the basketball team that was the first Rib Lake team to make it to the finals in the state basketball championship.

He received a scholarship to play basketball at Wisconsin State at Eau Claire and attended for one year. Before he could return for his second year, Ron was drafted to serve in the Korean War. Because he had completed one year of college, he qualified for flight training in the Air Force. Unfortunately, while playing in an All-Service baseball game, he was hit in the face with a pitch. His eye was injured and he was transferred to Offutt Air Force Base, Strategic Air Command, in Omaha, Nebraska. Ron was a proud Veteran.

While in Omaha, he met and married Joanne Grace Gallagher and they had a daughter, Susan Lee.

After Ron completed his Air Force service, he attended Kansas State University. Ron graduated from Kansas State University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree. He remained at Kansas State as a Teaching Fellow and received his Master of Science degree in 1961. While enrolled, he was also an assistant for the Men’s Basketball Team.

Ron was a licensed professional civil engineer in the United States, and, both Quebec and British Columbia, Canada.

Ron was inducted into the Kansas State University College of Engineering Hall of Fame, in 2001.

After graduation, in 1961, Ron joined Peter Kiewit and Sons Construction Company in Omaha, Nebraska. Twenty years later, Ron left PKS to join Dillingham Construction in California. In 1991, Ron returned to PKS and remained there until he retired in 1999. His career led to living in Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon, Idaho, Ohio, California, New York, Vancouver, Texas, Quebec, Montreal, and Denmark.

During his career, Ron worked on heavy construction projects around the world. He worked on the construction of hydroelectric facilities in Oregon and Idaho, and underwater tubes and tunnels in San Francisco Bay, New York City’s East River, and Denmark. He oversaw tunnels for the Washington DC Metro system. He oversaw the building of Duncan Dykes at Le James Bay in Quebec. He oversaw projects upgrading US military bases and embassies around the world, including Turkey and Russia. Ron oversaw PKS’ work on the Big Dig project in Boston. In the course of his professional life, Ron again had high-level security clearances from the United States government. Ron served on Boards at Dillingham and PKS. Ron served in Mediation in Florida after his retirement.

Ron was able to fix almost any project around the house or yard. He enjoyed many hobbies including golf, sailing, skiing, tennis, reading, gardening and fishing. He had two hole-in-ones as a golfer.

Ron believed in hard work and doing your very best at everything in life- whether professionally or personally, and doing it with integrity. He was meticulous in everything he did. As an engineer, he believed strongly in education and science.

Ron was a true animal lover and enjoyed the antics of all the family pets over the years.

Ron and Joanne supported many organizations over the years including Kansas State University, Veteran’s organizations, Public Health organizations, Women’s Shelters, Zoos, and Animal Shelters. They also provided college scholarships for many students.

Ron and Joanne began vacationing on Marco Island, Florida in 1985. The family made many wonderful memories on Marco. After Ron’s retirement in 1999, Ron and Joanne were snowbirds for many years, moving fulltime to Marco Island in 2004. They continued to travel extensively and visited many countries.

Ron remained on Marco Island after Joanne passed away in 2005, although he soon started spending the summer months in England.

In 2018, Ron moved to Naples, Florida and continued to play golf, travel, and enjoy a very active social life.

In May of 2026, he was in wonderful spirits celebrating his 93rd birthday with his daughter, son-in-law, grandson, granddaughter, grandson-in-law, and niece at one of his favorite Naples’ restaurants.

Services and Burial will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Arrangements by Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Homes

545 Willow Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Gary Sinese Foundation supporting Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Veterans and Active-Duty Military. www.garysinisefoundation.org