Dr. Ronald James Prineas

Australia, on September 19, 1937, Ron carried his Australian roots with him throughout a life lived in communities in Scotland, England, and the United States. Ron found joy and humor every day in everything from the successes of his family to the little bird that pinched a seed from the window feeder box to a vegetable appearing in his garden. And he shared that joy twice over with those around him.

Ron loved his family, and was proud of each and every one of them, filling the space on his walls with their photos, art, and achievements, no matter how big or small. He is lovingly remembered by his children, Dr. Matthew Prineas, Anna Catanese, Dr. John Prineas, and Miranda Prineas Austin, along with their spouses Dr. Katherine Davis, Dr. Michael Catanese, Dr. Sarah Prineas, and Walt Austin. He was immensely proud of his grandchildren, each of whom brought him great joy: Dr. Benjamin and Jasmine Catanese, Andrew Catanese and Sarah Hargis, Maud Prineas, Daniel Catanese, Theo Prineas, Harmon Austin, and Vivian Austin. He is also survived by his loved brother, Dr. John Prineas, his nieces Claire MacPhail, Dr. Sara Wurzer, and his nephew Peter Prineas, his sister-in-law, Yolande Oakley, brother-in-law Graham Oakley, and his nieces, Celeste Oakley and Jade Oakley and his numerous grand-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter Prineas and Nancy (nee MacDonald), his loving wife and steadfast partner of 49 years, Julienne Swynny Prineas and his second wife, Cladd Stevens who brought him great comfort and companionship in his later years.

Ronald’s career was shaped by a lifelong curiosity about the world. After growing up in a railroad town, where his parents ran a Greek restaurant, he obtained a medical degree before moving to England for his doctoral studies, and eventually continuing his career in the United States beginning in 1973, where he worked many years as a professor at the University of Minnesota. He recalled being drawn to the beautiful northern autumns without quite appreciating how cold Minnesota winters could be.

The loss of his father, and later his mother, to cardiovascular disease gave his work a personal dimension, as he led large epidemiological population studies on dietary and lifestyle causes of hypertension, heart disease, and childhood diabetes. His interest in new places and experiences drew him to additional positions in Miami, Florida and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He had a particular interest in careful measurement and classification and was a leading contributor to the use of standardized electrocardiographic methods, including the Minnesota Code, which gave researchers a way to compare findings across populations and studies. Over the course of his career, he authored more than 400 scientific papers which have been widely cited.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ron was a life-long collector and traveler. His passions included his love of antiquarian books, artwork, boxes filled with collections of seashells and seed pods found in his travels, and his fruit and vegetable gardens. He greatly appreciated sentimental items from loved ones, offering them prominent places in his home and going so far as to write stern notes forbidding anyone from moving them. He loved food of all kinds, especially at smaller restaurants where he became a familiar patron and neighbor. He had an insatiable curiosity about the natural world and human history, which made him a terrific Trivial Pursuit player. He never lost this sense of wonder; the final word he spoke was “Wow.”

Given Ron’s extensive contributions to epidemiological research and heart health, in lieu of flowers, his family asks that you consider donating to the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Foundation or the American Heart Association.

A private family service will be held to celebrate Ron’s life.