Ronald Patrick Cosgrove

He then enlisted in the Navy and became an aircrewman - operating the sophisticated surveillance equipment on the P3s (an anti-submarine aircraft).  Upon completing his enlistment with the Navy, he returned to Cedar Rapids where he met and married his wife, Ellen I. Becker, in April of 1969.

Ron graduated from the University of Iowa and then applied to go back into the Navy where he completed flight training and became a pilot of the same plane (the P3) that he had flown on as a member of the aircrew during his enlistment.

He retired from active duty in 1979 but continued serving in the reserves, becoming a commanding officer of the VP-94 Crawfish Squadron in New Orleans, LA.  At this time he also began flying for the commercial airline Texas International/Continental.

Ron’s interests and hobbies included drag racing, long-range shooting, and RV excursions with friends. He also greatly enjoyed the weekly Wednesday luncheons with his car club friends and the weekly Friday luncheons with his gun club friends. The monthly zoom meetings with his old Navy buddies (the “Crawfishers”) were also a highlight in his life.

He was the beloved husband of Ellie, the loving father of Chris (Hillary) Cosgrove, John (Candace) Cosgrove, Erin (John) Haran, and Patrick (Lauren) Cosgrove, and adoring grandfather of Kieran, Ireland, Devon, Kalysta, Rhys, Aidan, Alora, Brendan, Lillian, and Gabriella.

Ron’s greatest joys in life have always been his family and friends.  He took his role of husband, father, grandfather, and friend very seriously and was an excellent example of what love and loyalty look like. He is going to be so greatly missed by all.

Private family services will happen at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations to be made to your favorite charity in honor of Ron.