Ronald "Ronnie" Harkai

Ronald “Ronnie” John Harkai, 76, of Grand Rapids, passed away on December 6, 2022. He leaves behind his loving wife, Barbara; daughter, Rachel, of Detroit, MI, and son Michael Woodward of Venice, FL; also his sisters, Marion Mastny and Diana Harkai, and nieces Juli and Deanna of Cleveland, OH; as well as many surviving cousins and extended family members. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene (Megyeri) Harkai.

Ron grew up in Cleveland, a city that gave rock and roll its true start and his career in music began at an early age with classical percussion training under Robert Pangborn of The Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. As a young man, his burgeoning interest in pop and swing drumming led him to perform in several rock groups including the acclaimed 60’s rock band “The Outsiders,” whose rock and roll hit single “Time Won’t Let Me” sold over a million copies and went gold.

After graduating from St. Joseph High School, Ron bravely served his country in the United States Air Force. He was a Methods Analyst for the Tactical Air Command Headquarters at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, VA during the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge, Ron and Barb were married on July 19, 1969 in Hampton, VA.

As a young musician, Ron’s studio recording experiences exposed him to new studio microphone techniques not previously used for rock music, and it was here that his passion for audio production and engineering was born. His professional career and life writ large were defined by his perspicacious intelligence and passion for performing and recording music.

Throughout his life Ron would inspire bands, orchestras, choirs, soloists, and all ages and stripes of musicians with his craft and the art of audio engineering. His past clients and projects include the productions of award-winning soundtracks for the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Harper Collins/Zondervan Publishing, West Michigan office furniture companies, field engineering and production design for Clear Channel Communications affiliates, the U.S. Government, the I5 Museum, and a breadth of other artists, organizations, and industries.

He mastered several complete editions of the Holy Bible and hundreds of spiritual songs, recorded books on tape, and offered his recording and engineering services to countless local adult and school-aged choral groups and orchestras. Ron, Barb, and Rachel were longtime members of St. Cecilia Music Society and recorded and performed there throughout Ron’s life.

In his free time, Ron enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid fly fisherman and hunter, and in younger years he loved to ride and race dirt bikes and camp. He was a huge fan of anything pyrotechnical; Ron always loved a great fireworks display, especially when he was the one setting off the show. As the years progressed, his hobbies evolved and he took to the airwaves as an FCC Amateur Extra licensed HAM radio operator, his call sign being “AA8MW.” He continued on to seriously pursue photography, welding, long haul trucking, driving a school bus for elementary school-aged children, and also road cycling.

Ron’s dedication to his many hobbies and crafts was inspiring not only to his family and friends, but his larger community in Grand Rapids. He passed on his passion, particularly for music, to many people around him, including his daughter, Rachel. Ron was able to spend his life doing what he loved: making beautiful things and making people happy. He loved nothing more than to show others a good time. He was a deeply fun-loving man and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 12 at 12:00 p.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel, with visiting from 10:00 – 12:00 prior. Private burial will take place at Fairplains Cemetery.

For memorial donations, please consider the American Cancer Society or a children’s charity of your choice.