Hawkeye, Iowa – Ronald Dean Jarchow, 88, was born on November 11, 1937, in Hawkeye, Iowa, to Fred and Olive Jarchow. After graduating from Oelwein High School in 1955, he attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business in 1959. He excelled academically and socially, serving as president of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. Subsequently, he pursued a career at J.C. Penney Company in Waterloo, Iowa, before transitioning to a role in education, where he made significant contributions to the Iowa Department of Public Instruction during the evolution of the Iowa Community College system. Ron completed his Master’s Degree at the University of Northern Iowa while serving at the department.
Throughout his life, Ron was married multiple times and had five children: Scott, Brian, Kevin, Tamra from his first marriage, and Elizabeth from his third marriage. He shared many years with his beloved wife, Elaine McNally, embarking on adventures to universities across the United States as she pursued her career in higher education. Their journey eventually led them to work in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where Elaine played a pivotal role in developing educational opportunities for Arab women.
Upon retirement in Northern Kentucky, Ron enjoyed a myriad of activities, including playing bridge, reading, traveling extensively, and engaging in genealogy research. His love for travel was evident in his sailings to Europe on ocean liners like the Queen Mary II and other cruise excursions across international ports. In 2018, Ron and Elaine relocated to Venice, Florida, before moving to Akron, Ohio recently.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents and his second wife, Diane. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, his children Scott, Brian, Kevin, Tamra, and Elizabeth, eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, his brother Larry Jarchow, a nephew, and a niece.
Visitation will occur on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Linnemann Funeral Homes in Erlanger, with a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. Ronald will be interred at St. John Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell.
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