Ronnie L. Firth

Dr. Ronnie (Ron) L. Firth, 68, of Moline, Illinois, passed away Friday, October 21, 2022, at Genesis East, Davenport. Surrounded by family, his heart stopped beating.

A Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 27, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Moline, with Fr. Donald Levitt celebrating. Luncheon to follow. Celebration of life is 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 26 in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home, Moline. Cremation there at a later date. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be made to the Ron Firth Memorial Fund, to be established for scholarships at United Township High School.

Ronnie Lynn Firth was born May 1, 1954, in Rock Island, to Robert and Joyce (DeVrieze) Firth. He married Paula Schmitz on June 19, 1982, in Gilbertville, Iowa. He graduated from Palmer College, was a professor and taught in the college’s radiology department for 42 years. Ron was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. He coached for the East Moline-Silvis Soccer Club, and volunteered with the East Moline Swim Club and the UTHS soccer and swim teams. His greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren, and he enjoyed bowling, jigsaw puzzles, feeding and watching birds.

He was a one-of-a-kind guy and a loving husband, father, papa, son, brother, teacher, and friend. He was admired for his positive “I can still do whatever I want to do” attitude and for his lightheartedness about being a one-legged man.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Paula; three children, Russell (East Moline), Kimberly (Berwyn), and Michael and wife Brianna (East Moline); grandchildren, Elliot, Oliver, and Rue; and siblings and spouses, Deborah and Keith Baker, Nancy and Lee Parker, and Robin and David Hunt.

Ron’s family invites everyone to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.