Ronald "Ron" Adrian

Ronald “Ron” Adrian, 71, of Warren, MN died unexpectedly at home on Sunday, June 9, 2019 after some recent deterioration of his health caused by ALS.

Ronald John was born on July 2, 1947 in Centerville, MN to Mac and Alice (Swanson) Adrian. He grew up on the family farm in rural Hastings, MN and graduated from Hastings High School in 1965. He enrolled at the University of Minnesota in the fall, pursing a degree in engineering. After two years of schooling, Ron put his education on hold and answered the call to serve his country. Enlisting in the US Marine Corps, Ron was deployed to Vietnam, where he served as a radio operator from 1967-1969. Upon his honorable discharge as a corporal, he returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering degree in 1973.

On May 19 of that year, Ron was united in Holy Matrimony to Rebecca Ann Tarman at St. Augustine Catholic Church in South St. Paul, MN. The couple moved shortly thereafter to Warren, where Ron and Becky raised five children and lived their vocation together for 46 years. Ron worked as a professional engineer for the Middle-Snake-Tamarac Rivers Watershed District for 32 years. He received accolades for his role in the Snake River Flood Control Project, which has prevented flooding in Warren since completion in 2006. He retired from the watershed district in 2005 and became a project engineer for Houston Engineering until he retired for good in 2016.

Ron will be remembered as a stoic Christian, a loving family man, an independent thinker, and a talented engineer. After his children moved away to other states, he drove varied routes cross-country with Becky to explore the United States, visit his children, and complete "Dad Projects". As a result, every home was stamped with his craftsmanship—from cabinetry to electrical wiring to plumbing to fence construction. He was an avid collector of photos and music, making many playlists for the long road trips he took as well as creating custom playlists for others. He enjoyed sharing his wisdom and debating current events. Most of all, he cherished spending time with his grandsons in Arizona.

He is survived by his wife, Becky; children: Cathy (Geoff) Sweet of Tucson, AZ, Roxie (Joe) Simon of Iowa City, IA, and David (Dana) Adrian of Midland, MI; three grandsons: Gavin Sweet, Cameron Sweet, and Tristan Sweet; siblings: Lucille Burger, June Adrian, Joe Adrian, Rose Adrian, Mike Adrian, Geri Sullivan, and Jenny Adrian; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sons: Clif, who passed away on June 17, 1992, and Rich, who passed away on December 25, 1998; his parents; and siblings: Bob Adrian, Maxine Schiltgen, and Clifford Adrian.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 10:30 AM on Friday, June 14, 2019 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Warren, MN.
VISITATION: 5:00 – 7:00 PM with a 4:45 PM Rosary on Thursday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Warren and one hour before services on Friday at the church.
INTERMENT: Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Warren, MN.
MILITARY HONORS: Minnesota Honor Guard and the Warren American Legion, Post 27