Mr. Ronald E. Finch of Hoffman Estates

Ronald Eugene Finch, age 90, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Left this life on December 1 surrounded by family. As was often said in his final days, to reach the age of 90 he had to be strong and a bit stubborn. Both would be apt descriptions, along with incredibly kind and steadfast. Ron, as he was most often known, grew up on a small 80-acre farm in Clemons, IA, where he tended the fields and farmstock with his dad. While he eventually left to serve his country in the U.S. Army in 1954, his love of farming – and of his home state – remained forever. After his honorable discharge from service in 1956, Ron graduated from Upper Iowa University and eventually became an electrical engineer for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Kansas City, MO. It was there in 1965 when he met Nancy Bruns. They then married in 1966 and it was that same year that Ron was transferred to the Chicago area, where he would continue his career with the FAA and where he and Nancy would raise their three kids in Hoffman Estates, IL. Ron was a devoted dad who served as baseball and softball coach, tireless chauffeur, golfing partner and even chief engineer and pit crew for his son’s kart racing. Having learned to repair or build most things growing up, the family’s two-car garage became Ron’s workshop over time and he spent many hours working on an endless list of woodworking projects. Just about anything his family could dream up, he found a way to build. While Ron retired in his mid-60s, the work ethic nurtured on the farm drove him to return to working professionally at Raytheon Corporation where he remained well into his 70s. When he finally did retire for good this time, Ron spent his days between his garage and the extensive flower and vegetable gardens he tended with Nancy. Ron was also devoted to the numerous stray cats that began showing up at his door, along with the squirrels, raccoons and possums who discovered the regular supply of cat food he provided. From constructing shelter to seeing to their vet care, he lovingly cared for the strays and his indoor cats that found their way to his home even as his health began to wane. While it’s hard to capture 90 years in a handful of words, the easiest way to sum up his life is to say that 90 years wasn’t nearly enough time with him. Memories of his impish humor, true kindness, deep compassion and tremendous love for his family will fill the hole he has left behind. Ron is survived by his wife Nancy, their daughter Tracy Smith, son Chris (April) Finch, daughter Stephanie (Todd) Breiby, five grandchildren Kelsey (David) Knight, Alexandra Smith, Jade Finch, Hawthorne and Ethan Breiby, and great-grandson Maddox Knight. He is preceded in death by his parents, Zeno and Clara Finch of Baxter, IA. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 17 at Morizzo Funeral Home in Hoffman Estates, IL. Visitation will be from noon–4 p.m. with a brief service beginning at 4. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked to honor Ronald’s life with donations to two non-profit organizations that support work close to his heart, American Farmland Trust and PAWS Chicago . The family has created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories, photos and videos. For further information please contact the Morizzo Funeral Directors at 847.752.6444. Arrangements entrusted to Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, conveniently located at 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner at Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169.

Mr. Ronald E. Finch of Hoffman Estates

August 5, 1932 - December 1, 2022