Ronald Bruce Cole

Ronald Bruce Cole (85) passed away peacefully on Monday, September 16, 2024 at Pathways Hospice Care Center in Fort Collins, Colorado after complications due to Parkinson’s Disease. He was surrounded by family.

Ron was born to Harold and Aileen (Downes) Cole on November 8, 1938 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He grew up in Norway, Iowa and graduated from Norway High School in 1956. He married Almeda Tauber on August 16, 1962 and they lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa until 1984. During that time they raised 2 daughters Ann (Cole) Soderman and Mary Cole.

Ron graduated from Upper Iowa University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1962. He continued in higher education, earning his master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Iowa in 1968 and completed work in advanced preparation in education with an emphasis in general school administration in 1983.

Ron worked as a Special Education counselor at College Community (Prairie) Schools in Cedar Rapids from 1962-1970. During this time, he was integral in the foundational organization of Special Olympics in Iowa. He worked as a Consultant and then Coordinator of Special Education at Grantwood Area Education Agency in Cedar Rapids until 1984. He then made the leap to Colorado, accepting a position with the South Platte Board of Cooperative Education Services as a Director of Special Education in Fort Morgan, Colorado from 1984-1989. His last education move took him to Fort Collins where he became the Assistant Director of Pupil Services until he retired in 1999. He was a board member for Foothills Gateway, an organization that helps transition people with special needs from school to the community. His commitment toeducation rubbed off on his daughters, as they both pursued careers in education. His final job, and maybe his favorite, was shuttling cars, part-time for

AVIS. He did this for another 20 years, retiring in 2019.

He will be remembered for his love of anything with wheels. He got a pilot’s license and flew a single engine Beechcraft Musketeer and then a Mooney in Iowa. He loved cars and bought really nice ones. The four of us loaded up into a Volkswagen Beetle, Audis, Thunderbirds and diesel Mercedes Benzes. He was one of the first people to buy a Toyota Prius Hybrid. He collected classic cars, was a Ford enthusiast, and belonged to the High Country Mustang Club. He also enjoyed fishing for walleyes with his friends and colleagues and playing a round of golf, now and then.

Ron is survived by is wife of 62 years, Almeda, daughters, Ann Soderman (Buzz) and Mary Cole, his grandsons Jack and Carson Miller, his brothers, Rick Cole (Shirley Thys), Bob Cole, sister, Sue Barton, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Aileen. In lieu of flowers, please send a charitable contribution on Ron’s behalf to Pathways Hospice Care Center of Ft. Collins, CO. The love and care that they gave to Ron and family in his last few days was immeasurable.

And finally, “Once a Hawkeye, Always a Hawkeye.”

A memorial service for Ron will be held Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 4:00 PM at Allnutt Funeral Service – Drake Road Chapel, 650 W. Drake Rd., Ft. Collins, Colorado 80526, followed by a reception at 5:00 PM.