Ronald F. Bayer, 73


Ronald F Beyer, beloved father of three and grandfather of nine, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2022, at the age of 73.

Ron was born on January 23, 1949 to Fred and Alta (Berney) Beyer in Norfolk, Nebraska. He was born after seven sisters; Donna, Mary, Pearl, Beatrice, Norma, Dorothy, and Patsy; and before his brother, Larry. He had a special bond with his each of his siblings.

He attended Washington Elementary, Norfolk Junior High and graduated from Norfolk High School in 1967, then enrolled in Northeastern Nebraska College. He began working at Sherwood Medical in production until being drafted into the Vietnam War in 1969. After serving overseas for 19 months he was honorably discharged due to injuries he sustained in combat while saving fellow soldiers. Ron was awarded the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Army Commendation Medal. Upon intensive therapy and rehabilitation in Germany and Ft. Riley, he returned home and continued his college studies. Ron finished his associates degree at Northeast Technical College and received a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State College. Upon graduation he taught high school for a few years until moving into a management position at Sherwood Medical where he wrote operational policy and procedures.

In 1972 Ron married Linda Hewitt. They were blessed with adopting three children; Joseph in 1982 and twins; Jenna and Jerod in 1985. He served on the Norfolk City Council and was active in the betterment of the Norfolk community for many years. In 1995 Ron married Laura Knight and settled into raising his kids. In 2000, after 34 years of dedicated employment, a stroke forced Ron into retirement.

He and Laura celebrated the small things in life along with a retirement full of relaxation and traveling until Laura’s passing in 2006. Shortly after, Ron relocated to Bellevue, Nebraska, he resided with his daughter, Jenna and his grandkids where he spent some of his best years of life surrounded by his grandkids everyday.

Ron also grew up raising Shetland ponies with his brother and was his fathers caretaker. He left an impact on everyone he met; from coaching YMCA youth sports to advocating for the voiceless; he showed up for everyone in need and stood for doing the right thing. Nothing brought Ron more joy than watching his kids and grandkids compete in sports.

He was an avid Husker fan; holding season tickets for countless years to enjoy games at Memorial Stadium with his kids. His Sunday tradition was Mass, brunch at Val’s then cruising down the highway to Grandma’s farm. Ron also enjoyed playing noon-hour basketball at the Y, he was on a golf and bowling league and loved his monthly poker nights with his best buds.

He never missed an opportunity to remember with his war buddies during the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion. Powerful and true is the saying “All Gave Some; Some Gave All”. He lived his life with such positivity that he rarely had bad days, he never once complained. He always made the best of every single day and had a never give up attitude even when suffering. He never missed a moment to tell you how amazing you are and much he believes in you!

Later in life when his body was tired he enjoyed spending time watching westerns with his grandkids, making them belly laugh with his amazing sense of humor, convincing them that one more snack is a must and showering his family with all his love. Ron would want every person reading this to remember to lighten up and laugh a little.

Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Laura; parents Fred and Alta; sisters, Donna (Marvin) Gaek, Mary (Bruce) Logan, Beatrice Woods, Norma (Charles) Benedict, and Patsy Spencer; brother-in-law Clifton White.

Ron is survived by his children, Joseph, Jerod (Grace) Beyer, and Jenna Beyer; grandchildren, Taivin, Noah, Kyrell, Karii, Zandon, Marah, Zeelan, Samuel, and Theodore; sisters, Pearl (Bob) Farmer and Dorothy White; brother Larry; brothers-in-law Melvin Woods and Delmar Spencer; and many nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.