Ronald Allen Mitsch

Ronald Allen Mitsch passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on September 1, 2026, at the age of 92. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn (2025); his sons, Jeffrey (2025) and Sean (2005); his parents, Evelyn and Raymond Mitsch; and his brother, Dale (2025).

He will be deeply missed by his son, Gregory (Michelle), and daughter, RaeAnne (Leo); his eight grandchildren, Eric (Annie), Stephen (Alexandra), Taylor (Alex), Martin (Liz), MacKenzie (Kenzie), Sarah, Elisabeth, and Annie; his six great-grandchildren, Hayden, Adeline, Benjamin, Allen, Brooks, and Monroe Jean; his brothers, Gary (Sue) and Jim (Paula); and his sister-in-law, Mary.

Ron was born on July 26, 1934, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up in Como Park in a family that taught him the value of hard work and the importance of caring for the people around him. He loved hunting, fishing, baseball, and hockey, and cherished time at the family's northern Minnesota log cabin, which he built with his dad. As a young lifeguard at Lake Josephine, Ron saved a boy's life. The boy's parents later thanked him in a letter he kept for the rest of his life-a lasting reminder that every life is precious and every person matters.

When Ron met Marilyn Jean Martin, a beautiful cheerleader from another school, he knew almost immediately that he had found the love of his life. They married and began a remarkable 70-year journey together, rarely ever apart. Along the way, they built a life filled with love, family, adventures around the world, and countless cherished memories.

Ron graduated from Cretin High School in 1952 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Hamline University in 1956, a master's degree in organic chemistry in 1958, and a Ph.D. in 1960 from the University of Nebraska.

That same year, Ron joined 3M, beginning a remarkable 38-year career that took him from senior chemist to Vice Chairman of the Board. His early work as a chemist connected him with NASA, where he contributed to rocket propulsion research for the Apollo program. He often recalled watching the moon landing, moved to tears by what it represented-not only for science and human achievement, but for humanity itself.

In 1979, Ron was inducted into 3M's Carlton Society for outstanding technical achievement. He was recognized for his leadership in directing 3M into unique areas of research and for his tireless commitment to developing people as the company's most important resource. He held 19 patents. Ron was honored as the 1995 Executive of the Year by the Association for Manufacturing Excellence. Ron also gave his time and talent to organizations. He served on many Boards including Children's Hospital in St. Paul. He was honored by his alma mater Cretin with the Bishop Cretin Award, for outstanding service to his community and his school. Ron believed education could change the course of a life. He established scholarships-some of which sent students out into the world that he had traveled. Postcards from students would arrive from places he had been and places he never got to, and he read every one of them the way a grandfather reads a letter from his own grandchild.

Ron always thought of himself, first and foremost, as a bench chemist. He never sought recognition or boasted about his accomplishments. Endlessly curious, he loved solving problems, learning something new, and, above all, asking why. When he shared stories about his work, his joy was unmistakable.

Ron knew that the best parts of life were never things, but people. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, mentor, and friend.

Honest, hardworking, and endlessly curious, Ron had a genuine love for life. He found joy in so many things-work and discovery, sports and adventure, hunting and fishing, chemistry and invention, travel, and, most of all, family and lifelong friendships. He was always learning, always asking questions, and always eager to understand something new.

Ron gave quietly and loved deeply. He listened. He encouraged. He shared his knowledge, his time, and his stories. And he had a rare gift for making people feel that they mattered-that their stories were worth hearing, their ideas worth exploring, and their dreams worth believing in.

Ron's greatest legacy lives on in the people he loved, the friendships he nurtured, the lessons he shared, and the stories we will continue to tell.

Ron believed he had lived an incredible life.

And he was right.

We are grateful that we got to be part of it.

Visitation will be September 17, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, White Bear Lake. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026, at St. Mary of the Lake in White Bear Lake, with visitation prior to Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be September 19, 2026, at Acacia Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ron's honor to Como Friends and the Science Museum of Minnesota.