Ronald Hert

Ronald "Ron" Sterling Hert, 77, of Windsor died peacefully following a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia surrounded by his loving and devoted family on February 3, 2018. Ron was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on December 13, 1940, the oldest son of Herman and Florence Hert.

Ron is survived by his mother Florence; wife Mary; daughter and son-in-law Stefanie and Patrick; granddaughter Katie; brother Gary; brother and sister-in-law Larry and Marilyn; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Larry; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Herman and sister-in-law Jean.

Ron graduated from Technical High School in 1958 in Omaha. He married Mary in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1963. Ron was the first in his family to obtain a college education and earned his B.A. from University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1964. He moved to Des Moines and worked as a copywriter for Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

In October 1966 Ron and Mary embarked on an adventure rich with happy memories as they joined the Peace Corps and served as teachers in Tanzania, East Africa. Ron taught secondary school English, initiated a school magazine, directed construction of sustainable fish ponds, coached basketball, served as Tanzania correspondent to Volunteer Magazine and played on a regional rugby team. Ron made lifelong friendships in the Peace Corps which brought him great happiness.

Upon returning home, Ron earned his M.A. from Illinois State University in 1971. While completing his studies, Ron and Mary welcomed their daughter, Stefanie, and set about teaching her to love learning, travel, and the arts.

Ron devoted his career in higher education to ensuring that disadvantaged students from inner cities could pursue and obtain a college education. He moved his young family to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to found the Department of Developmental Studies at Atlantic Community College and would later serve students at Mountain View College in Dallas, Texas.

Ron's dedication to education was eclipsed by his love for family, so in 1984 he moved his family to Fort Collins to join Mary's parents in their family business, Vern's Toffee House. Ron quickly adjusted his learning pursuits to business and entrepreneurship and skillfully nurtured Vern's Toffee into a legendary Fort Collins business.

Ron could not leave education behind completely and achieved his Ph.D. from University of North Texas in 1988. He also continued to offer his expertise to students at Front Range Community College and Colorado State University.

Ron was passionate about fly fishing, reading, photography, fitness, sports, and the arts. At the conclusion of their time in the Peace Corps, Ron and Mary travelled extensively through the Middle East and Europe. They would later also travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States. Above all, Ron enjoyed time with his family and had a special bond with granddaughter Katie. Ron was an active and dedicated member of St. John's Lutheran Church.

A funeral is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on February 9 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ron's life. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Pollyea Leukemia Research Fund, The Denver Hospice, or St. John's Lutheran Church c/o Goes Funeral Care.