Ronald J. Bahrmasel

With heavy hearts, we announce that Ron Bahrmasel, aged 89 passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Beloved husband of Rena, devoted father to Lou (Susan) and Bernie, dear brother of the late Coleman (Wilma), the late Jeffrey Bahrmasel and Bruce (Catherine). Born on April 28, 1935 in Chicago on the West Side, Ron was the eldest son of Sam and Edythe (Dick) Bahrmasel. In 1953, Ron graduated from Von Steuben High School later attending Wright Junior College. A few years later, Ron proudly served in the US Army from 1957-1959 as a member of the 1st Infantry Division as a medic. While stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, he was introduced to his future bride, Rena Topp. Ironically Rena was originally from the same neighborhood as Ron, but they met 1300 miles away on a blind date. Ron and Rena were married on November 6, 1960, at the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, settling in Chicago where Ron worked as a salesman for Warshawsky Auto Supply. He later took his sales skills to Major Motors Auto Supply, where he retired in 1997. The newlywed Bahrmasels welcomed their two sons, Lou and Bernie in 1962 and 1963, living in a series of apartments in the Rogers Park and Albany Park neighborhoods before eventually establishing roots in Skokie, IL where they resided for 25 years. During that time, Ron was a dedicated husband and father inspiring his sons to pursue their dreams and always "be a mensch". While of modest means, the Bahrmasels managed to enjoy annual summer driving vacations to Texas and New York as well as the occasional weekend in South Haven, MI. Upon retirement, Ron and Rena relocated to Fountain Hills in 1999 where they quickly found many other Chicago transplants and established themselves as founding members of Congregation Beth Hagivot as well as active members of Sunset Kiwanis in Fountain Hills. When they weren't involved in those activities, they attended numerous spring training games for their beloved Chicago Cubs as well as many vacations, including Israel, Tahiti, Mexico, Caribbean and Hawaii. When it came to the Cubs, Ron was a lifelong fan since his first game at age 6; often referring to their 2016 World Series victory as "bigger than VJ Day". Throughout his retirement, Ron also pursued interests in family history and was an avid reader who could frequently be found at the Fountain Hills Library catching up on world news, sports or current events. A friend to all and a mensch to the end…