Ronald Duane Christ passed away on June 21, 2023, at the age of 80. He was a beloved husband, brother, father, stepfather, and grandfather.

Ron was born on October 28, 1942, in Spencer, Iowa, and grew up in Spencer and Cherokee, Iowa. He was the first of two sons born to Clyde A. Christ and Mildred Karr Christ. In 1966, he married Dorothy Enquist. They were married for 16 years and had two children, Erica Christ Brookover and Heidi Christ Smith. In 1987, Ron married Hedwig Elfriede Hiltrop (Heda) and became a loving stepfather to Heda's children, David Ing, Deborah Rom, and Richard Ing. Ron and Heda had a beautiful 36-year marriage before Ron's passing.

Ron earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He then moved to Chicago, Illinois, to attend Northwestern University, where he earned his Master's in Business Administration, while proudly serving as a National Guardsman in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Upon graduation, Ron joined Baxter Laboratories in Chicago and later relocated with the company to Mountain Home, Arkansas, before eventually returning to Chicago. In 1976, with the emergence of the oil and gas industry in Texas, he seized an opportunity at Rockwell International, leading him to Houston. It was during this time that Ron discovered his affinity for working with smaller, family-owned companies. Consequently, in 1979, he transitioned into a fulfilling career in finance and management, joining the ranks of two esteemed Houston-owned companies, first Ruska Instruments and then ITC, until his retirement in 2007.

Ron dedicated his life to serving others and strongly believed in the importance of community. He spent his adult life volunteering and working in various community and church service activities through Hosanna Lutheran Church where he was a founding member, Habitat for Humanity where he was on the Board of Directors, Northwest Assistance Ministries and Eickenroht elementary school.

After Ron retired from his finance career and Heda retired as a RN, they read the book, Don't Retire, Rewire!  And that is what they did.  Through the ELCA, Ron and Heda were privileged to serve in Botswana for two years.  Ron worked across Botswana and Zimbabwe to boost the Lutheran church's finance capacity in the Southern Africa region. Ron also assisted WomenCraft, a social enterprise started by his daughter Heidi, in Ngara, Tanzania, to develop their operational systems.  People mentored by Ron appreciated his calm and supportive teaching style, along with his humor. He enjoyed sharing his skills with others.

In addition to his work, Ron thoroughly enjoyed spotting wildlife in East and Southern Africa, particularly in the Okavango Delta area of Botswana. He loved nature and cherished having authentic travel experiences.  He was tickled whenever he, as a small-town Iowa boy, could add a new country or continent to his list.

Playing sports and staying active were essential to Ron's well-being. He played golf in high school and, as an adult, added tennis and softball. Ron was a dedicated coach for his daughters' teams, learning and coaching soccer for eight years and serving as a stroke and turn swim coach. Whether as a coach or spectator, Ron often cheered the loudest.  He was an avid fisherman and hunter and, throughout his life, eagerly joined any sporting or hunting activity that kept him healthy and connected with friends, in addition to avidly following the Houston Astros.

While known for his selfless and compassionate spirit, Ron was also known throughout his life to be a prankster. On many occasions, he would play games and pull pranks to surprise and entertain.

Ron had a deep faith in the Lord, always starting and ending each day in prayer.  Ron and Heda joined the Lord of Life Lutheran Church shortly after returning from Botswana and settling into The Woodlands; they immediately felt welcomed.  Ron did not miss a single Sunday worship hour, whether in person or online. Ron became an official and unofficial greeter at Lord of Life and tirelessly volunteered for Interfaith Ministries.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred, and Clyde Christ. He is survived by his wife, Heda, and five children: Erica Christ Brookover and her husband Michael, Heidi Christ Smith and her husband Oliver, David Ing, Deborah Rom and her husband Chuck, and Richard Ing and his wife Ellie. He is also survived by his brother Lawrence Crist and his wife Young Bok, as well as his five beloved grandchildren: Alexis Rom, Audrey and Tegen Smith, and Ryan and Kate Ing.

Ron was a supportive, loving, and caring person, and friend to many.  His absence will be deeply felt by our family and everyone whose life he touched.  We also honor and cherish his well-lived life.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Kagera Scholarship Fund*.  Please direct your contribution to:

Lord of Life Lutheran Church

KSF-Kagera Scholarship Fund

3801 S. Panther Creek Drive

The Woodlands, TX 77381

lol@lordoflifeonline.org

*When in Ngara, Tanzania in 2005 visiting Heidi and her family, Ron and Heda helped establish the Kagera Scholarship Fund and have managed it throughout the years. To date, the fund has helped over 400 children who were orphaned or living in extreme poverty to be able to continue their education – starting with high school, then continuing on to vocational and technical schools and universities.  This has changed the course of these students' lives, for which they are incredibly appreciative.

Ron's life will be honored and celebrated on Saturday 15 July 2023, 2:00 pm at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 3801 S. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381.  A reception to greet the family will immediately follow.  For those not able to attend in person, the service is available to watch via live-stream and the link will be available on https://lolonline.org/funerals/ .