It is with a great deal of sadness that I announce the passing of Ron Gossett, Board member and Vice President for Culture, Sarasota Sister Cities.
Ron has been a great contributor to Sarasota Sister Cities through his time and efforts as well as financial contributions. He was recently involved in our student cultural exchange with Florida Studio Theater's Young Playwrights Competition. This project won the 2015 Cultural Innovations Award from Sister Cities International. Ron was just reelected to the Board of Directors of Sister Cities International.
Ron's obituary is below.
Beth Ruyle-Hullinger
President Sarasota Sister Cities
Mr. Ronald R. Gossett, age 82, died Friday, October 9, 2015 after a brief illness. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 26, 1933 to Charles & Lydia (Culver) Gossett and married the former Shirley Campbell on July 1, 1954. Mr. Gossett served his country in the US Navy and was a graduate of Wayne State University where he received his BA & MA in Business Administration. Ron worked for the Federal Reserve Bank in Detroit, City National Bank, First Midland Bank before coming to Muskegon where he was the president of FMB-Lumberman's Bank until retiring in 1995. Ron was a tireless supporter of the Muskegon Community.
Ron has been a great contributor to Sarasota Sister Cities through his time and efforts as well as financial contributions. He was recently involved in our student cultural exchange with Florida Studio Theater's Young Playwrights Competition. This project won the 2015 Cultural Innovations Award from Sister Cities International. Ron was just reelected to the Board of Directors of Sister Cities International.
Ron's obituary is below.
Beth Ruyle-Hullinger
President Sarasota Sister Cities
He served on countless boards and committees including Summer Celebration, Muskegon Air Fair, United Way, and the West Shore Symphony. He was involved with the restoration of the Frauenthal Theater, USS Silversides and the LST 393. Ron supported Rotary Student Exchange and Sister Cities Student Exchange, Harbor Hospice and many other causes. He was also a supporter of Florida Studio Theater, Circus Sarasota, board member of ALSO in Sarasota, FL and a member of Temple United Methodist Church in Muskegon.
SURVIVORS
Wife of 61 years, Shirley; son, Richard (Susan) Gossett of Roseville, MI; 2 daughters, Debra Gossett of Canton, MI, Ellen (Gregg) Berens of Hamilton, MI; 6 grandchildren, Douglas Newberry, Jessica Newberry, Stephen Gossett, Patricia Gossett, Brandon Berens and Kristin Berens; great-grandchild Caitlyn. He was preceded in death by a brother Charles "Bud" Gossett.
Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Ron's Life will be held on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Temple United Methodist Church, with Visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Sarasota National Cemetery. MEMORIAL; The Ronald and Shirley Gossett Fund at the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.