Ronald Kassik
Ronald Wayne Kassik, 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on June 8, 2025. He was born in Alva, Oklahoma on January 25, 1937, the second of five children born to Roy and Laura Kassik. Ron was married to Joan Lambert for 58 years until her passing on February 26, 2015. Ron is survived by his wife Sharon McCausland-Kassik of seven years; her daughter, Kelly Allen of Grapevine, TX and her son, Jim McCausland of Phoenix, AZ. Ron is also survived by his daughter, Lara Baugh, and her husband, Scott of Orion, IL, including their three children (Daniel, David, and Sara) and their children (Charis, Logan, Violet, and Mina); his son Ryan Kassik and his wife, Jamie of Commerce City, CO, and their three children (Nyah, Layel, and Ronan); a brother, Tom, and his wife, Sue, of Mustang, OK.
Ron grew up on a farm near Dacoma, OK that was homesteaded in 1893 where they grew wheat and watermelons. Family members still farm the land today. Ron graduated from Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, in 1958 with a Ministry degree. He continued his education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, where in 1961 Ron earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Chemistry. While in school he worked for KALV radio station in Alva, OK where he was the Chief Engineer and Announcer. Ron’s academic journey continued at Oklahoma University for graduate work where he was a Research Assistant in the field of gaseous electronics and earned a Masters of Engineering – Engineering Physics in 1964.
In June 1964, Ron and Joan moved to Scottsdale, AZ where Ron began work at Motorola. He had a distinguished career as an Engineer and worked on active optical fusing systems for laser guided munitions, acoustic telemetry systems for down-hole oil field applications, and IRAD programs to devise ECM techniques for effectiveness against phase code (FM Chirp and pulse Doppler radars). He finished his career as Chief Engineer at the Tactical Electronics Division and was responsible for the IRAD program and all technical patent review and writing for the Division. He received an Engineering Award for EMC Modulation Techniques for Coherent Radar, an Invention Award for an Oil Well Acoustic Signal Transducer and two patents: “Intrusion Detection False Alarm Reduction System” and “Extremely Accurate Automatic Frequency Control Circuit”. He was a member of the Association of Old Crows and the American Defense Preparedness Association.
He had a love of aviation and had his FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic’s license as well as his FAA Private Pilot license. He owned and restored a Piper Comanche and was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, International Comanche Society, Arizona Cloudbusters Flying Club, Civil Air Patrol, and the Experimental Aircraft Association Arizona Chapter where he was the editor of the Tradewinds newsletter. He was mechanical and crafty. He built furniture, the addition to his house, and on most Saturdays you could find him in the workshop tinkering with some airplane or car parts.
A man of immense faith, Ron was an active member of Scottsdale Bible Church, serving as a founding member and Elder. He was on the building committee, designed the sound system, ran sound for Sunday service, and taught Sunday School for Seniors. He led the teaching for their Home Fellowship group called Gourmet. He had a philosophy that it was important to take time to be in nature and see the wonders of God. Holidays and vacations were spent camping either with the Gourmet group or extended family and included riding trail-90 bikes, hiking, and campfires with singing and worship.
He will be remembered for his intelligence, humility, forbearance, and faithfulness. His character is one to aspire to in life.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”