Ronald Eastman

Ronald Edwin Eastman was born November 3, 1936, the eldest child of Edwin and Florence Eastman. Ron grew up on a farm in South Dakota, where his father worked as a sharecropper. He graduated from Bradley High School in 1953 and attended South Dakota State University until he volunteered for the draft in the fall of 1954. Ron served two years in the United States Army, including 15 months in Korea. In the fall of 1953, Ron's parents bought a farm and moved to Clarissa, Minnesota. While working on a road crew in Clarissa during the summer of 1954, Ron met a pretty waitress in the local cafe named Marilyn Jedlicka. They were married on May 24, 1958, and the newlyweds moved to South Dakota where he continued his studies in economics and accounting. In February of 1959, Ron and Marilyn welcomed their first child, Deborah. Ron graduated from SDSU a few months later, and the young family moved to Minneapolis where he started his career with General Mills as a junior accountant. In October 1961, a second daughter, Patricia, joined the family. In 1966, Ron went to work for the Carlson Companies as a general accounting manager, but soon moved into real estate. He was Executive Vice President of Carlson Properties when Marriott recruited him in 1978 to be Vice President of Hotel Development. Ron and Marilyn moved to Maryland where Ron began his 30 year career at Marriott. Throughout his career, he was promoted to positions including Vice President of Real Estate Development, Vice President of Resort Development and Global Group Vice President. Ron worked at Marriott until his retirement in 2009. Ron served the Lord faithfully in his local church as a chairman, elder and treasurer. He also regularly served in the nursery, Vacation Bible School and enjoyed taking his turn cleaning the church one Saturday a month for many years. Ron was passionate about Christian higher education and had a desire to encourage future generations in their faith and service. He also had a gift for administration and served as the chairman of many boards including Nyack College, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and Shell Point Retirement Community. He was a member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Board of Directors, C&MA Audit Committee, Gideons International as well as many other organizations over the years. Ron went to be with the Lord on August 1, 2015 after three years of declining health as a result of multiple strokes. Ron is predeceased by his parents and sister, Alice. Ron is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Marilyn; his daughters, Deborah Johnson (Keith), Patricia Mellema (Mark); grandchildren, Nicole Johnson (Nick Waters), Bethany Geske (Michel) and Seth Mellema; and great-grandson, Raymond Tempany. Ron is also survived by his sister, Judy Hillesland (Larry), brother, John (Lori) and many beloved brother and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews. Ron was a wonderful man, deeply loved by his family. He was a man of integrity and was respected by everyone who knew him. Much may be said in the days ahead related to his wisdom, leadership ability, and generous giving, but Ron would only want to be remembered by one title: Christ Follower. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Evangelical Free Church 5150 Chicago Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 3, 2015 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to Nyack College, 1 South Boulevard, Nyack, NY 10960. Please visit these additional links: http://www.nyack.edu/blog/NyackNews/2206 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naples-Alliance-Church/151062228311645?fref=nf