February 11, 2020
Arntz, Ronald A.
Ronald Allen Arntz, a longtime resident of Westwood, died Thursday, January 23, 2020 at the Norwood Hospital in Norwood, MA. He was 81. Ron was born March 16, 1938 in Boston, MA, a son of Royal B. and Rose Marie (Palermo) Arntz. He attended Wentworth Institute for a year before enlisting in the US Army for three years. Ron worked as an engrave for Model Engineering Corporation of Holbrook. He played trombone and was a fan of big band music (a trait instilled in him by his parents; his father Royal formed a dance band with his twin brother called Herbert Marsh and his Royal Marshalls, and his mother Rose who was a professional dancer and performer on the vaudeville circuit). Ron was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club and enjoyed hiking and canoeing, enjoyed American History, and was a talented handiman. He was also a member of the First Parish Church of Westwood. Ronald is survived by his wife, Mildred Mabel (Coan) Arntz; his daughter, Karen Diane Arntz of Boston; two grandchildren, Aurora Arntz and Julia Morgan; and his brother, Dennis Arntz of Laguna Niguel, California. He was he brother of the late Valerie Vincent. Private interment was in the Garden at Gethsemane Cemetery in West Roxbury. Relatives and friends are invit4ed to attend his Memorial Service Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 1 pm at the Stratford Street United Church, 77 Stratford Street, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory to Rose’s Bounty (a food pantry started by his late mother) c/o the Stratford Street United Church, 77 Stratford Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132 would be appreciated.
Comments(3)
So sorry for the loss of Uncle Ron. There is a grove of trees for him in Scotland and more trees can be planted in his memory.
Ronnie was my older brother.As youngsters our parents would take us on yearly vacations many of them spent in NH. where Ronnie fell in love with the mountains and became a member of the Appalachian Club.
Our teenage years had fond memories of the Christian Endeavors Group at the Congregational Church in West Roxbury. Ronnie had a love and passion of historical places around Boston. He knew more then many local tour guides.
Since my career took me to CA. we would chat often and get together in Boston to visit the sites. More times than not we would end up at Ragina’s in the north end for a great pizza.
Rest in peace Ron.
Dennis Arntz
Ron was my cousin and the expert go-to guy when it came to any historical facts about the Arntz family. I’m sure he inherited that trait from his father, Royal, who kept an ever-expanding family tree drawing over the desk in his home office. Ron shared with me things about my own dad, Herbert, that I probably never would have known except for him. In his later years we conversed regularly on the phone and in person at Christmas time, he regaling me with stories about his time in Germany (in the Army) and adventures in the Appalachian club. His end came way too soon, a heart breaking loss of a cousin and friend. Barry Arntz