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Ron Sawatsky was born in Manitoba, Canada, on March 19th, 1950. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home on June 28th, 2014, at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife, Susan (Sue); son Bevan (Germany); daughter Laresa, husband Arbi Arzoumani and daughter Alina (Toronto, Ontario); sister Rosella (Winnipeg); brother Walter and sister-in-law Margaret (Elkhart, Indiana), and their children and grandchildren. Ron grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and pursued his post-secondary education at Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Virginia), the University of Waterloo (Ontario), and the University of Toronto, where he earned his doctorate in Religious Studies in 1986. Ron and Sue served with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Akron, Pennsylvania from 1975 until 1977. Immediately after their Voluntary Service assignment, they moved to Ontario where Ron alternately studied and found employment in various business endeavours in Toronto and Waterloo. In 1999, Ron became chief executive officer of Rockhill Mennonite Community (RMC), a position that he held until December, 2012.

Ron’s leadership abilities were recognized when he became the chairman of the Mennonite Bicentennial Committee in Ontario in 1986. He subsequently assumed leadership roles as moderator of the Mennonite Church of Eastern Canada (MCEC), the Conference of Mennonites in Canada (CMC), and Mennonite Church Canada (MC Can).

In the past few years, Ron’s increasing physical immobility denied him the pleasures of pursuing his many interests, including photography, woodworking, music, and travel. He informally continued research begun during his Ph.D. studies on the development of religious fundamentalism in its various forms. His curiosity, ability to engage with people, and commitment to education have been an inspiration not only to his children, but to the many others whose lives he has touched. Ron’s untimely passing has left a great void in the lives of his family, friends, and colleagues.

Ron, Dad, we miss you terribly, and can’t believe that you’re gone. We will always love you.