Obituaries

Ronald J. Kuhn was a distinguished businessman, serial entrepreneur, and dedicated philanthropist.

He was born on February 27, 1947 in Wheaton, IL to Harry and Betty Kuhn, who have preceded him in death.

Ron is survived by his two children Stephen Kuhn of Chicago, IL and Kerri McLean of San Francisco, CA. He was lovingly known as Papas to his 4 surviving grandchildren: Oliver, Vivian, Finn and Scarlett. Although he was an only child, his aunt, Jacquie Deutsch, was like a sister to him, also surviving.

He was raised in the western suburbs of Chicago where he attended St. Francis High School. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Southern California. After college, he returned to his hometown where he helped transform a small family construction business, Harry W. Kuhn, Inc., into a Chicagoland road building powerhouse. He served as Chairman and CEO until 2011. He also founded Pillar Rock, a prized cult wine produced from his vineyard in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, California.

Ron’s motto was “Remember from Whence you Came.” As a snowmobile racer in his early 20’s, he suffered an accident that left him in a coma for over a month, requiring him to redevelop the power of speech and the ability to walk. Influenced by this experience, he became an ardent philanthropist providing opportunity to people determined to overcome personal disadvantages through hard work, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare. He was especially generous to his alma mater USC, where he established the Ronald J. Kuhn Student Fellowship Fund. Fight On!

Ron had a commanding presence, never took no for an answer, and loved pushing the boundary of what was possible. An avid traveler, he visited all 7 continents before he was 40 years old. Most memorably, he took his son to Antarctica and his daughter down the Amazon River for their twelfth birthdays. Ron was a fantastic golfer, winning many tournaments in his younger days and playing the best courses whenever he could. He loved fast cars and raced Maseratis and Porches into his late 60’s. After relocating to Naples, FL, he loved zipping around the canals and exploring the Everglades in an air boat.

Visitation will be 4-7:30 P.M. Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at Yurs Funeral Home 405 E. Main Street, St. Charles, Illinois 60174. Funeral Services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at Yurs Funeral Home 405 E. Main Street, St. Charles, Illinois 60174. Burial will be at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery, Wheaton, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Naples Zoo or the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Condolences may be left for Ron’s family at Ronaldjkuhn@gmail.com

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