Dr. Ronald Joseph Ciskoski — devoted husband, father and grandfather — passed away peacefully on Friday, June 21.
Born the only child of Harold and Dorothy Ciskoski on Dec. 6, 1936, on the North Side of Chicago, he attended St. George High School in Evanston, where he was the center on the football team that proudly won the City Championship; Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota; and the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
He met his loving wife of 65 years, Florence (nee: Brychel), as a college student. Together, they raised five children — Lynne, Karen (Keith), Thomas (Kathleen), Julie (James), and Debra (Stephen) — in Skokie. And later welcomed their six grandchildren. As a family, they took many memorable trips to places like Bermuda, Disney World, and Galena.
During the late 1960s, he was a Captain in the 857th Medical Group in the United States Air Force, stationed in Oklahoma, where he held many positions, including Hospital Commander.
As a pediatrician, he worked at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston and Evanston/Glenbrook Hospitals. At St. Francis, he held a number of leadership positions, including serving as the Chairman of the Pediatrics Department, 1987-95, and Staff President in 1978 and 1989. He was also a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Throughout his career, he was recognized with many honors and awards. He was a multi-time recipient of the American Medical Association Physician Recognition Award; in 1987, the University of Illinois Alumni Association named him the Alumnus of the Year for Service to the Practice of Medicine; he earned the Top Doc Award in a 1993 ABC-TV peer survey; and was named a Top Doctor in the Chicago Metro Area three times.
In his retirement, he was active in the Del Webb community in Huntley. He was an usher at the 7:30 a.m. masses at St. Mary’s and often pitched in as a dishwasher during funeral luncheons.
He was also a family man, a loyal Cubs and Northwestern Wildcats fan. He enjoyed good music, a stiff Manhattan, and always knew the company of many wonderful friends. He will be remembered for his kindness, his steady presence, and his great stories.
He is survived by his wife; children and; grandchildren Michael Bauer (Gráinne), James Reuter (Holly), Marina Ciskoski (Jacob), Dr. John Reuter (Courtney), Stefan Harris (Elizabeth) and Monica Harris (Dakota); along with brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law, John and Florence Brychel; and brothers-in-law John and James Brychel.
He will always be remembered as Dr. Ron.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 26- 4-8pm at DeFiore Funeral Home-10763 Dundee Road, Huntley. A 2nd visitation will be held on Thursday from 9-10am at St. Mary Catholic Church-10307 Dundee Road, Huntley and at 10am Mass will be celebrated. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Elgin Park and Recreation Foundation.https://www.elginparksfoundation.org/
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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So sorry for your loss.
When I moved into Del Webb in 2018, I was happy to be neighbors of Flo and Ron. Enjoyed the many get togethers and hear of the many stories Ron told of his experiences stationed in Oklahoma as a medical officer. I always looked forward to him making Irish coffee on St. Patrick's Day. He will be missed.
My sincere condolences to his loving wife And family. He was a dear friend & an inspiration to all who knew him! With my Sympathy , prayers & love to Flo & family!
Always loved Dr. Ciskoski. I remember coming home during college breaks to go see him. 18 years old in the waiting room with all the young ones. Gently, he told me it might be time to find a Dr. for big kids. I was so bummed. God rest his souls. Grateful for the love and care he provided me and my siblings. Always felt like we had the best pediatrician in the world. I am so sorry for the loss.
Dear Julie and Jim, We are so sorry for your loss. Your Father sounds like a wonderful man who touched the lives of so many with his kindness and dedication through his medical profession. Our deepest condolences to your family.
What a wonderful father and family man. My heart felt sympathies go out to the family of many. Cherished memories will live on in each that has known Dr. Ron.
Julie, Jim & family, we’re so sorry for your loss. Prayers for all of you.
Flo so very sorry for your loss, we will miss our dinners with you and our good friends. Sometimes blessings are hard to see but I truly believe this was a blessing. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family!
Our loving condolences to Flo and family from old pals from the 60s. What a beautiful, kind man who we were blessed to call a dear friend . (Even though it was Jack as Loyola QB that Ron as ST George lineman repeated ly creamed in the 1954 Catholic League Championship and loved to show the video to all our dear friendsdecaades later.!)
Flo, so very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family.
Dear Flo, we are so sorry!! Dr. Ron was the BEST pediatrician ever!! Our kids loved going to see him for their check ups. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Marina and family, my deepest condolences on your loss. He sounds like he was a great man who touched the lives of many. My thoughts are with your family.
So sorry for your loss. Praying for the family during this time.
Please accept my deepest sympathies for the entire family. May you find comfort and peace in the memories you shared with Dr. Ciskoski.
I'm so sorry, Flo. My prayers are with you that God will bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time. You have my deepest sympathy.
I am so very sorry for your and your family's loss. May his life and memory be a blessing for all. I hope you can feel my hugs.
Lynn,I'm so very sorry for your loss. Just think of how lucky you were to have him for such a long and happy life. My regards and best wishes always, Basil
Dr. C will always hold a special place with our family. He was always smiling and helped us raise three healthy children. May God hold him in the palm of His hand.
I am so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. You have my deepest sympathy. Prayers to you and your family as you go through this difficult time.
Dear Julie and Jim, You must be so proud of your Dad; to think of so many people he helped throughout his lifetime. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We are so very sorry for your loss. The family is in our thoughts and prayers.
I first met Dr. C (as he was called by my 4 children) as a student nurse at St. Frances Hospital. Of all the physicians we students encountered over our 3 years of education he was considered to be the finest of them all! He was always kind, down to earth with a dry sense of humor, helpful, and, most importantly, normal! Several years later he became an outstanding common sense pediatrician to my children as well as to many of my classmates'. I would bring my child in for an office visit and often meet some of my old classmates. I have not seen Ron in 35 years. But he continues to be remembered as one of the finest human beings I have ever met. My condolences to Flo and his children. A bright light has been extinguished with his passing. Yet I know he'll shine and keep 'em laughing in paradise.😌
Our thoughts and prayers to Ron, and his family. Remembering Ron and Flo, from many years ago. We had some nice times together , and always enjoyed Ron and Flo. Our condolences… to Flo and his family,
So very sorry to hear this news. He was special in many ways.
Although I worked only 2 years with Ron and Dr Murphy, in those 2 years I met some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. And by far the nicest was Ron himself. Truly a great man and a wonderful caring doctor! Jackie and I send our condolences to Flo and the family.
So sorry for your loss!!
So sorry to learn of Ron’s passing. I have fond memories of his warmth and hospitality during the annual Ciskoski Christmas parties. He will be remembered for many professional achievements, but especially for his kind heartedness to so many. May you find comfort in knowing Ron is with the Lord and that some day we will be reunited with him in much joy.
So sorry for your loss. He was one of nicest human being I’ve ever met. He actually saved my life. RIP
Lynn & Family, so sorry for your loss. Praying for your comfort. A donation was made to Elgin Parks Foundation based on your Dad's memory.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. 🙏🏻
So sorry to hear of your passing.
So sorry to hear of your passing.
So sorry to hear of your passing
Flo and family, So very sorry to hear of Ron's passing. It was my pleasure to know him - and you. God bless...
My deepest condolences. Mr. Ciskoski always had a smile and a laugh. His warm, loving personality (not to mention his amazing barbecuing skills!) will be sorely missed. The world has lost a great man. Prayers of peace and healing to the entire Ciskoski family.
Dr. C as we called him was the kindest, most compassionate doctor. Our children were so lucky to have him treat them. We are sending you all our deepest condolences. So very lucky we were to have known him.
My deepest condolences. Mr. Ciskoski always had a smile and a laugh. His warm, loving personality (not to mention his amazing barbecuing skills!) will be sorely missed. The world has lost a great man. Prayers of peace and healing to the entire Ciskoski family.
I was one of the lucky kiddos that was under Dr. C's care. He had such a calming voice and eased my anxiety as a kid when I would need shots. I would drive over 40 minutes to see him for my check ups once I got my drivers license. I will never forget at my last visit (I was pushing 20) he looked at me and said "Nicole, it's time to move on and see a 'grown up' doctor now". It was one of the saddest days for me to move on to a "grown up doctor". He is the gold standard of the care I try to provide my patients. In my nursing career whenever I would meet someone that mentioned St. Francis, I would always name drop Dr. Ciskoski. My heart goes out to you all during this time of sadness. I'm in my early 40's and Dr. C will always be my doctor.
My sincerest sympathies for your loss. I knew him as a resident and attending at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston Illinois, and always admire him.
My deepest condolences. Mr. Ciskoski always had a smile and a laugh. His warm, loving personality (not to mention his amazing barbecuing skills!) will be sorely missed. The world has lost a great man. Prayers of peace and healing to the entire Ciskoski family.
So sorry to hear of Ron's passing. My kids were so fortunate to have been patients of his. He was the most loving and caring doctor I have ever known... You'll be truely missed Dr. Ron...
My deepest condolences. Mr. Ciskoski always had a smile and a laugh. His warm, loving personality (not to mention his amazing barbecuing skills!) will be sorely missed. The world has lost a great man. Prayers of peace and healing to the entire Ciskoski family.
Our condolences to your whole family. Thanks for being a kind and caring pediatrician to the Joyce kids and friend to our parents. Kate, Matt, and Anne Joyce
My deepest condolences. Mr. Ciskoski always had a smile and a laugh. His warm, loving personality (not to mention his amazing barbecuing skills!) will be sorely missed. The world has lost a great man. Prayers of peace and healing to the entire Ciskoski family.
Dear Ciskowski family, Dr C was the biggest influence in raising our four children. He was our pediatrician for many years and his advice was incredible and I past that down to my children. We have talked about him over the years and I just happened to come across his obituary. I am so sorry for your loss, he was a great man that will never be forgotten. Best advice for a young mom..”trust your gut, you know your child better than anyone” Prayers for peace, Jeanne
Ron Ciskoski was my best friend at St. George High School. While I remember him as a football team center, notably, he was among the most accomplished in academics in our class….an all-around participating student. As so aptly stated in these Condolence messages, he “meant much to many”. I count him among my closest friends. God Bless Flo and the Whole Ciskoski Family. Ron, Rest in Peace, dear Friend. You have gone to your well-deserved reward,
I'm so sorry to learn about the passing of your husband and father. He was my pediatrician from birth to her kicked me out around the she of 18. I have a recollection of bringing him peanut butter blossom cookies. Tonight I left Dt Francis and noticed a wall of honor with his name being recognized as physician of the Year earlier this century. I have great memories of him as a doctor. I'm sure he will be greatly missed by many.