Ronald was born at McKeesport Hospital in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John and Emma Polak. Ronald was raised in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. As a young boy, Ron had a number of interests and was an active child, he took part in basketball and he was a band trumpet player. In his spare time he liked to work in his parent's sandwich shop. He graduated from McKeesport Area High School in 1953. Ron earned his Bachelor of Music Education from St. Vincent College in 1957. He also pursued graduate school, earning his Masters of Science Education at Duquesne University in 1959. His favorite courses were music and philosophy. His favorite professor was Professor Edwin P Shiner. During his college years, Ron also was the manager of the St. Vincent Bearcat basketball team. On June 7, 1958 Ronald married Vera Smider at St. Peter's Church of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Compassionate and devoted, Ron worked hard to make his new life partner happy. Ron was blessed with one daughter, Karen. His primary occupation was a music educator and music coordinator. He was employed for 36 years by the McKeesport Area School District. He brought harmony to his work environment, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done, while always maintaining respect for his colleagues. Throughout his schooling, Ron was a member of many music groups including; band, brass quintet, marching band, and choir. Throughout his later years, Ronald was an active member and past president of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and the St. Vincent Alumni Association. After moving to Las Vegas he became a member of the Southern Nevada Officials' Association. Ronald passed away on August 24, 2013, at his home in North Las Vegas, Nevada. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vera, his daughter, Karen, and his brother John of North Ridgeville, Ohio. Services were held at St. John Neumann Church in North Las Vegas. Ronald was laid to rest at the grounds of his beloved Alma Mater, St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Arrangements under the direction of Palm Northwest Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.
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September 4, 2013
Julieann Klipa-Butler
The world has lost a great man but heaven has a wonderful addition. He was my music teacher, a listening ear and a wonderful friend. I have thought of him often smiling at me when a messed up, which I did often. Rest in Peace Mr. Polak. Thanks for everything.
September 2, 2013
Kathleen McNeal-Rousseau
Deat Karen and Family,You are all in our thoughts and prayers,Rest in peace Mr,Polak,Thank you for being a part of my life,and sharing your love of music,there is now another shining star watching over us
September 1, 2013
Mike Smetanka C-54
Dear Vera and Karen, please accept my sympathy. Although I never personally knew Ron, we met on the internet and became good friends. St Vincent provided a fine education to us. God bless his soul.
September 1, 2013
Mike Smetanka C-54
Dear Vera, Karen & John, please accept my sympathy on the loss of Ron. While I never knew Ron when we were at SVC (I was a dayhop from Latrobe), we became good friends on the internet, playing games and swapping stories. Many years ago, he passed on to me what his god mother (I believe her name was something like Bougla and she lived in Cleveland) told him about his father. His dad worked on the ore boats that brought iron ore down from Superior to Cleveland and he stayed with George Smetanka during his lay overs. It took me a long to verify that this was indeed my great uncle, the older brother of my grandfather Stephen. Finally after searching the archives, I determined who he was - and I have since found many of his off-spring, scattered across the USA. This is not the time or place but some day I will give you the full story. God bless you all and the soul of Ron.
August 31, 2013
Deborah Weisz
Dear Vera & Karen,
First, my sincere condolences to both of you and to Ron's brother John.
I have had the great privilege, for many years now, of being Karen's friend. And along with that honor came being so warmly invited into so many wonderful family activities.
I have many good memories, but here are two that I will never forget... Ron's smile and the sound of his laughter!
I can picture him smiling and laughing, with that wonderful twinkle in his eye.
I will miss him.
May your own memories bring you comfort.
August 30, 2013
Julie Mills
God will definitely show you the way to smiling again. I know this experience will change you forever. Just remember all the good times you shared with your father and all the love he gave you throughout the years. He is not gone. He will live in your heart forever.
August 30, 2013
Edward Faulk
Dear Vera, Karen and John,
Many hearts must be heavy with sorrow today; for I never knew anyone with such a host of friends as my friend, Ron.
Ron and I worked together for many years with the Freshman Band, the Junior High Band and the Senior High Band. Ron had a knack for teaching his band members. Ron made them feel very important and always gave 100% effort. Ron's band members were his friends and they loved Mr.P.
I met Ron in 1957 and we became close friends and continued our friendship until that sad day. Ron will always be in my prayers.
Ron was an excellent musician and a fine band director but above all a great Human Being.
Ed,Trudy and Karl Faulk
August 30, 2013
Melodie Ewing
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Ron. My heart goes out to you and your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
August 29, 2013
Frank Willard
We are sad for your loss loved one. Our prayers are with you. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
Old East End Friend
Frank and Jean Willard
August 29, 2013
LOU DITOPPA
May God bless Ron and his Family, he was a great man !
Dr. Lou DiToppa
August 29, 2013
David Stash
A Ron Polak story....about twenty years ago, I'm in my classroom on plan period, listening to some tunes, The Beach Boys. Ron comes in, listens for a minute or two and says "I know the guy that wrote that song." I reply "Huh?? Brian Wilson?" aware of the BS quotient and humor we would sling to and fro on a slow morning.
"Nah," he says, "the co-writer...Van Dyke Parks...I graduated with him."
Now Van Dyke Parks is a legend in music, doing movie scores, string arrangements for America and Randy Newman and The Boss and EVERYBODY.....plus his own great albums. THE MAN in music in LA.....from McKeesport?!?!?! More Ron tales???
Ron says "Yeah...I just nominated him for the McKeesport High School Hall of Fame."
Music fanatic that I am, I get too excited. I have all Van Dyke's music on vinyl, cassette, eight track and now CD. Sure enough, after some reading, I find that Van Dyke is an alumni of da'Port.
Flash forward to the induction event.....a few days before, Ron stops by and says: "You'll sit with Van Dyke....half these people don't know about the extent of his fame like you do."
So the night of the dinner, I put all my Van Dyke CDs in a bag and enjoy two hours of the guy telling me about Brian Wilson, hanging with Jack Nicholson and writing the musical score for the movie "Chinatown" and doing arrangements for Randy Newman and Ringo and Harry Nillson....and acting in movies, too. He signs all my CDs and reaches in his pocket and pulls out a cassette. "Here...I brought this along to give to somebody who knows my work. It's the score I wrote for the sequel to "Chinatown" called "The Two Jakes." Warner Brothers has decided not to release a full length album because there is only twenty five minutes of orchestral music. This is one of my test pressings."
Ron is sitting there enjoying my enjoyment of the night... a night and a gift from him I remember to this day.
Thanks, Ron....you're in my heart, you old bulls#*>>er. I have an odd feeling that at this moment you are giving some old poor saint a line of pure malarkey about something. Go easy on them.
August 29, 2013
Matt Kostusak
Karen & Vera,
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Ron. He was a very warm, kind, friendly and welcoming person. Though I did not see him often, I thought of him as a friend. I enjoyed his stories and we always could find something to talk about. I will miss him.
August 28, 2013
Dawn & Armand Dodsworth
Vera and Karen,
Ron has been a great influence on my Vegas life and is very dear to me. Your family as a whole has changed and influenced many lives. Ron's legacy will continue to live on in both of you. I am a better person to have known him. Love,
August 28, 2013
Karen,
I am sorry for the sudden loss of your father. Thinking of you and your family.
Stacy Bosch
August 28, 2013
Rose Ann Kwiecinski
Vera, Karen, & John - Sorry to hear of Ron's passing.
Reading the obit brought back fond memories of Emma and how proud she was of Ron and Karen.
August 28, 2013
Will Rydell
Sorry for your loss, Karen.
August 28, 2013
Rees richardson
It is hard to accept the idea that a wonderful mentor and good friend is gone. I first met Ronald Polak when I was in the 7th grade and he immediately became a very important part of my life. His friendship and guidance got me through high school and my first several years of college. To say that he was one of the reasons that I chose music as a career would be quite accurate. He was such a part of my early years that I found it impossible to write anything the first few times I came to this site. We have all lost a good friend and the world has lost a truly great person.
August 28, 2013
I just read a comment that everyone has a Ron Polak story, I believe that to be true. Ron was very helpful to me for six years from junior through senior high. He is without a doubt the best teacher I ever had. Thoughtful, caring, and always clear on the correct path to follow. I have taken many of the traits I saw in him and adopted them as my own. He was a great man, a natural leader, and an outstanding roll model for a struggking kid. I'll never forget him.
August 28, 2013
Marcia Merenic Foster
Mr. P. was the best. Although it's been 40 years, it only seems like yesterday traveling with him to the elementary schools in White Oak & McKeesport to teach flute lessons & play for the students when I was in high school. He was always there with encouragement & was an inspiration to me. I am sure he is playing his horn in that Great Heavenly Band!! Through our memories & through music, he will always be near. My prayers are with Vera, Karen & the family.
August 28, 2013
Diane Stojanovic Easly
To the family of Ron - I had the pleasure of having Ron as a band director and working with him as a teacher. He truly was great as both a teacher and a colleague. You have my deepest sympathy and prayers!
August 28, 2013
Mr. Polak was a great band leader and a great man. I have so many wonderful memories of band camp and marching band. Ed Pencoske class of 1972
August 28, 2013
John Polak
My Brother
My admiration and love for my brother is unending. From childhood to adulthood, I have always looked up to my brother. As a child, doing things together was a norm. He was my best man at my wedding because he was the best man. He was a devoted husband, caring father, and a true friend. You might come into a room as a stranger but would leave as a friend. I can attest to Ron enjoying a good joke since I usually was the target. Being a chef, my highest compliment was not the awards but from my brother, when he said, "I glad you didn't take up a silly profession such as brain surgery." Our daily talks, games together on computer will be missed, but I know we will be together again. Carol and I can share Vera and Karen's grief. He is gone by not forgotten. Now he has the opportunity to blow Gabriel's Horn. One of his favorite sayings was, "It don't me a thing if you ain't got the swing!"
August 28, 2013
Mike & John Shlapak
I have happy memories of our childhoods together with Ron and John and me and my brothers at Grandma Susie's house. We would all always be there for Christmas and other holidays playing together like young boys do. My deepest sympathies to his family on his passing. He will be greatly missed. Mike and John Shlapak
August 28, 2013
Carole Wiskeman
To the Polak family, So many fond memories of Ron. Loved being in the Band with him assisting Joe Krysik. What fun we had Please accept my condolences.
Carole Rendulic Wiskeman
Class of 63
August 28, 2013
Vera and Karen
Please know that we would like to express our deepest sympathy on Ron's passing.
Bearcats everywhere will walk a step slower on hearing this bad news.
Bill McGee
SVC
C'68
August 28, 2013
Susan Roach
Your husband and Dad was a GREAT Man!!! I will always remember Mr. Polak standing in the Junior High hallway as we would come to school. Mr. Polak had a wicked sense of humor and NEVER let us get away with anything, All through High School Band, we could count on Mr. Polak to understand we were trying our best to make McKeesport Area Band the BEST!!! THANK YOU Mr. Polak for always being there for the band and orchestra members. We were better people for having known you,
August 28, 2013
Kevin Knox
RIP, Mr. Polak ......... You're the reason marching band was so fun. I'll never forget your laugh and the fun times on the trips with the McKeesport Marching Band. I know the drumline drove you nuts !! I will miss you !!
August 27, 2013
Daniel Tagaloe
Karen you and your mother had a very special man in your lives. McKeesport was a wonderful place for us to grow up and my life was better because he was a part of my school experience. He made us happy made us laugh made us perform better and best of all made us want to participate in band. When we went to band camp, traveled with the band and marched at football games still remain some of the happiest times in my life. Sitting here I am thinking of one happy time after another with him. I was so sad to hear of his passing. Sending some love from back in McKeesport Dan Tagaloe class of 1978.
August 27, 2013
Michael Rogers
we are sorry for your loss
old east end friends from McKeesport
Michael Rogers and sister Doris Vaniel
August 27, 2013
Anita Siler
I am so sorry for your loss. He was one of the best teachers I had. You are in my prayers. Anita Siler
August 27, 2013
Karen, I am so sorry for your loss! Your dad was a wonderful man and wonderful teacher! He has touch many lives in such a positive way! He taught many of us the love for music. It is a shock but be thankful he went peacefully and didn't suffer. Love to you and your mum. Marcia Heatherington Pabis
August 27, 2013
Karen and Vera, thanks for sharing the precious photos of your dad/husband - he will never be forgotten. So sorry for your loss. He was one of the greatest! Deb Yednak
August 27, 2013
Vera and Karen, you both were fortunate to have Ron for many years, We will miss him also, and pray for his soul. I will even miss him agitating me about how good the Steelers are and how bad the Browns are. Sorry that we live so far away that we couldn't be more helpful in your time of need. God Bless you, and take care. Paul and Shirley
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