Dr. Ronald K Sommers
Born in Cleveland, August 2, 1928 to a lifetime of love and achievement.
Departed April 19 with his family at his side after a long battle with cancer.
A loving and supportive husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. In addition, a modest man of great contribution.
University Professor and Researcher; Technical Author; Inventor; Retired Commander of the Naval Reserves. During his Navy career he participated in the Berlin air lift and many years later managed one of the Cleveland National Air Shows for the Navy.
A clinical speech pathologist whose intellect and drive let him to direct the Kent State University Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology. Past President of the Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association and multi-awarded director of Federal research grants into language dysfunction and improving therapies for the language challenged.
64 year "whirl-wind" romance with his wife, Virginia, a lifetime of love and friendship. Nurturing and loving father to Mark (Anton), Deborah (Lawrence Lafave, dec.) Conradi, Kimberly (Andy) Wyatt and Robert. Beloved Grandfather to Andrew, Aubree (Christopher), Aimee, Erin(Andrew), Kristen and Kendall. Great-Grandfather to Bradley, Skylar, Anthony, Abbey, Lilly, Riley, and Everett (all his favorites).
A man of great intelligence, compassion and a wicked sense of slap-stick humor.
His books: A Manual of Speech and Language Training; Clinical Speech in the Schools; Articulation Disorders; Talking Tots: A guide to Early Speech and Language Development.
Professional Articles: (#62 published articles in professional journals).
Inventor of the Echorder - a special oral feedback recorder that aided speech therapy.
Directed Doctoral dissertations of many KSU Graduate Students
Faithfull member of Christ Church of Hudson
A very special man whom we were blessed to accompany our lives; He will be missed immeasurably.
A private funeral was held on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. A Celebration of Dr. Sommers' life will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 1:00PM at Christ Church Episcopal Chapel, 21 Aurora Street, Hudson Ohio, 44236 (330) 650-4539. A reception will follow in the church guild hall until 3:00PM. In lieu of flowers, please direct contributions to Disabled American Veterans, 216 Medina Road, Medina, OH 44265 or the Hospice of the Cleveland Clinic, One Clinic Center, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195-5236.