Mr Ronald Aram Terzian

Terzian, Ronald Aram, 80, died November 29, 2014. He was born born May 14, 1934. Preceded in death by parents Aram and Adrine Terzian and wife of 49 years Diana Terzian. Surviving family are: sons, Randy (Linda) Terzian, Scott Terzian, David (Stephanie) Terzian, all of Wichita, and daughter Dana (David) Manda of O'Fallon, MO; grandchildren John Brecheisen, Brian Terzian, Eric Manda, Melissa Manda, Shyanna Terzian; brother Reed of Edmonds, WA.

Following his military service, Ron and Diana relocated back home to Wichita, and Ron went to work at Boeing. Not long after, he was laid off from his job in the shop, but re-hired the same day by the company precursor to data processing. He remained at Boeing, and then helped form Boeing Computer Services, then back to Boeing for the remainder of his long career, working first in sales, then in management. By the end of his 40 years there, he had risen to the position of Director of Computing for Boeing Wichita. He retired in 1997 at the age of 62.

Ron's view was that a person should retire TO something, and as such began a long and distinguished second career in service to others. He joined the Starkey, Inc. Board and served as it's president during a very difficult and transforming time. After his time on the Inc. board expired, he joined the Starkey Foundation board, eventually becoming president there as well. He became an active and vocal advocate for persons with disabilities, working with private enterprise and government agencies to try and make things better. After Diana's death, he had the opportunity to memorialize her by being a large contributor to the Starkey Lighthouse project. One of the houses was named in her honor in May of 2010.

Other projects were just as near to his heart. He was involved in the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board from 2000-2007. He was a member of the Southeast Wichita Optimist Club, and was instrumental to the fundraising efforts for the club's Wichita Eclipse Teen Center project.

Most recently, he was appointed to the Wichita Transit Board. He became president of this board as well, and worked very hard to try to win passage of the sales tax to help build a more usable transit system.

On a more personal level, Ron loved being with family and friends. He especially loved attending the grandchildren's sporting events. He was an avid KU volleyball fan during Melissa's tenure there, traveling to almost every game all over the country. He held WSU basketball season tickets, and most Fridays during good weather could be found on the golf course with long-time friends. Wednesday lunches were enjoyed with friends from the Optimist Club, and Sunday mornings were spent solving all the world's problems over coffee with friends at Panera. He loved classical music, and in his earlier years was an accomplished pianist.

He was a fixture at the Copper Oven Restaurant Saturday mornings - from his commanding table position he could see everything going on. He made many lasting friends in his favorite restaurant.

Ron believed in people. He always had time to listen, and give advice if requested. He never met a stranger, and would strike up a conversation with just about everyone.

We all thought, and hoped, that Ron, our father, grandfather, brother, and friend would live forever. He might be gone physically from this world, but his spirit and his love will live on in all of us.

We love you Dad.

Services will be Saturday, December 6, 10 am at Family Church, 11135 W. Douglas Dr., Wichita, KS 67209. Private family graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Starkey, Inc. www.starkey.org