Born on August 11, 1937 in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, Ron attended Juniata College on a basketball scholarship, graduating in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Later that year, he married Ann Larkin of Pittsburgh, his college sweetheart and loving wife of 57 years.
Ron’s early career included administrative positions at Juniata and Franklin & Marshall Colleges. In 1969, Ron and Ann moved to Pittsburgh where he became executive director of the Hillman Foundation, overseeing the philanthropic efforts of the Hillman family. During the next 40 years, Ron’s guidance was influential in completing many non-profit initiatives, including Hillman Cancer Center, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
In 1990, Ron was named president and a trustee of the foundation. Throughout his career, he served on numerous boards including St. Clair Hospital, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.
Retiring in 2009, Ron considered his role working on behalf of the Hillman family as a great privilege and responsibility. His work, anchored by years of dedicated partnership with Ann, was recognized by Henry and Elsie Hillman in meaningful ways. The Wertzes were honored with the establishment of an endowed scholarship at their alma mater, Juniata College, where Ron also received an honorary doctorate. In 2007, Wertz Gallery of Gems & Jewelry was created within the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems to recognize his role in developing this world-class collection.
Known for his competitive nature, quiet demeanor and easy wit, people immediately recognized Ron as an ethical man who made us all more caring. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2002, he continued to live an active life with grace and perseverance. He enjoyed playing golf with friends and family and will be remembered for his quickness and skill on the paddle tennis courts of Pittsburgh. He was a long-time member of St. Clair Country Club, having served as president in 1985. After moving to Naples, he became a member of the Pelican Marsh Golf Club.
In addition to his wife, Ann, Ron is survived by their three children, Laurie of San Francisco, Michael of Pittsburgh and Jeffrey of Aspen, and four grandchildren, Catherine, Matthew, John and Julianne.
A remembrance gathering will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, April 5th at Hodges Funeral Home located at 525 111th Avenue, North Naples, Florida, 34108. Services for early May in Pittsburgh will be announced at a later date.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Wertz Gallery, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or The Ronald W. and Ann L. Wertz Endowment, Juniata College, 1700 Moore Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652.
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