Robert Samuel Ronka

Robert (Bob) Ronka, 72, of Atlanta died on Monday, November 27th of complications due to lung disease. Bob, the son of Aili M. and Arne H. Ronka, was born in Gloucester, MA, and even after moving to Arlington, VA as a child, he would return for memorable summer vacations on Folly Cove. After graduating from Wakefield High School, where he was a star pitcher on the baseball team, Bob attended the University of Tennessee. His passion for his alma mater never waned. He truly was a “Vol for Life.”

During the Vietnam War, Bob proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the Army Third Infantry Honor Guard in Fort Meyer, VA. Professionally, Bob managed mass transit in several metropolitan areas, including Denver, Cincinnati, and Atlanta. Highlights of his career were managing the historic inclined railway in Chattanooga and bus routes for the 1996 Olympic Games. Both professionally and personally, Bob’s affable personality and genuine concern for others were the hallmarks of his being.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Jimenez-Ronka, daughters Pamela Ronka Maroulis (Bill) of Ashburn, VA, Shelley Ronka Burns (Jason) of Knoxville, TN, both from first marriage to Carol Sue Ronka, stepdaughter, Patty Mackey (Colin) of Atlanta, GA, grandchildren Jackson Burns, Brody Burns, Katherine Maroulis, and Adrian Mackey, and brothers, Paul Ronka (Beth) of Colorado Springs, CO, and David Ronka of Charlottesville, VA.He will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, December 8 at the Trinity Presbyterian Church Dobbs chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s honor to the American Lung Association (www.lung.org). Arrangements under the direction of H.M. Patterson & Son Spring Hill.