A 1960 graduate of Mitchell High School, Ron held a bachelor’s degree in American government and politics, a master’s in American history from Purdue University, and a doctorate in American studies from the University of Kansas. He began his career teaching at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1966. He then became assistant, associate, and finally a full professor by 1985. He was a Huge-Kinne professor of history for 19 years. He was department chair from 1980-2001 and graduate program chairman from 2002-2005. He was a historian and professor emeritus at Nebraska Wesleyan University since 2004.
For 15 years, he was director of the Nebraska Summer Institute for high school history and social studies teachers. He was co-coordinator of the “We the People” program for high school history and social studies students in Nebraska from 1990-2003. He was an associate fellow for the International Quilt Study Center, a lifetime member of the Nebraska Historical Society, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Alpha Theta International History Honor Society.
In 1986, Ron co-wrote the film, “White Man’s Way”, which won a Clarion Award in 1987. He also co-wrote the film, “In the White Man’s Image” in 1992. He was the author of several books, including “Nebraska Quilts and Quiltmakers”, which won a Frost Award from the Smithsonian Institute, and “History of Nebraska” in 1997.
He was the Paul Beck Social Studies Teacher of the Year for Nebraska in 2003, a Nebraska Sower honoree by the Nebraska Humanities Council in 2003, and was an Addison E. Sheldon Award winner in 1998. He was also honored by Marquis Who’s Who with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.
Family members include his daughter Meredith (Jeremiah) Heilig, Lakewood, CO; mother, Martha Heilig, Mitchell, IN; sister-in-law Louise Huebner. Preceded in death by his father Durwood, and his wife Gretchen.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street.
Memorials may be given to to the family for future designation.