Ronald K. Roubal

Dr. Ronald K. Roubal died October 5 ^th , 2021.

He was born to Lillian and Rudolph Roubal on March 22, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska.  He worked many jobs before he finished his high school education at Creighton Preparatory School. Ron went on to Creighton University and followed his passion in chemistry, eventually earning his PhD at The University of Iowa.  He was a fellow of the Sigma Xi, and Phi Lambda Upsilon fraternities and the Alpha Chi Sigma Chemical Sciences Honor Society.  He did postdoctoral work at the University of Minnesota - Duluth. While at Creighton University he met his first wife, Bibiana Klein. In 1964 Ron accepted a faculty position at the Wisconsin State Teachers College which is now the University of Wisconsin - Superior. He spent the next 32 years teaching inorganic chemistry and eventually became the Division Chair of Math and Sciences. He enjoyed many friendships with other faculty members and former students.

Ron and Bibiana were blessed with three daughters. He also has multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ron met his second wife, Barbara Rich and married in 1989. They lived in Superior until retiring in Duluth, MN. He enjoyed spending time at their lake home on Big Sandy Lake in McGregor, MN.

Ron was an Emeritus Member of the University of Wisconsin as well as the American Chemical Society. Besides authoring numerous chemistry articles, he was appointed by Governor Patrick Lucy to the Air Pollution Control Council from 1974-1976.  He was inducted into the Chemistry and Physics Hall of Fame in 2014 at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He enjoyed his summers teaching National Science Foundation students from all over the United States.  He was also one of the founding fathers of the Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies, now known as Lake Superior Research Institute.

Ron attended Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior. He helped with many ministries and activities at the church and Cathedral school.  He also devoted time to the Morning Optimist Club of Superior and the Superior Elks Lodge No. 403.

He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife Bibiana. He is survived by his wife Barbara, his daughters, Diana Roubal Devine (Ronald), Laurie Hernandez (Angilberto) and Susan Roubal Wesley (Dan), honorary daughter, Crystal Chow (Tang), and his grandchildren Janille, Matthew, Ariana, and Alexandra, and multiple great-grandchildren. His sister, Janice, also survives him as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, a sister-in-law, and a brother-in-law.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM, Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church, 1111 Belknap Street, Superior, and will continue until the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Fr. Andrew Ricci as celebrant.

Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery at a later date.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made in Ron’s name to the Roubal Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, P.O. Box 2000, Superior, WI 54880.

Pallbearers for the service will be Ronald Devine, Angilberto Hernandez, Dan Dehlin, Matt Sekelsky, Scott Rich, and Dr. Jim Lane.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Susan Ash, Dr. Bert Dickas, Greg Jones, Denny Renkiewicz, and James Tomsche.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at BeeHive Homes in Duluth, for the exceptional care they provided Ron during his stay.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5 ^th Street, Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com .