Ronald Sage

Ron was born on Aug. 4, 1938, in Pontiac, Mich. After high school graduation, he attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton for his undergraduate degree in geology. Following Michigan Tech, he completed his master’s degree from the Colorado School of Mines and then his doctorate in geology from Carlton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

While Ron worked in numerous positions throughout the United States and Canada, his passion for fieldwork geology inspired him to accept a position with the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS), where he worked for over 30 years until retirement. During his years with the OGS, he managed multiple field crews throughout northern Ontario and authored numerous publications for those in the field. In 1997, Ron was recognized for his contributions to Lake Superior Geology when he received the S. S. Goldich Medal from the Institute on Lake Superior Geology.

During his time in Rochester, Minn., he met Carol Raebiger, of Philadelphia. They were married on Dec.18, 1974, in Canada. During their 51 years of marriage, they raised their son, Douglas, and their two daughters, Victoria and Alexandra, and welcomed six grandchildren into their family.

Ron was also an active and skilled ballroom dancer and had successfully traced his personal ancestry to the Revolutionary War period and before.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Carol; son Douglas (Deborah Lane) of Kingsford; daughter Victoria (Joshua Kaplewski) of Florence, Wis.; daughter Alexandra (Bart Kirsenlohr) of Kingsford; grandchildren Russell Sage, Olivia Sage, Isaac Sage, Natalie Kaplewski, Matthew Kirsenlohr, and Edmund Kirsenlohr; sister Karen (the late Joseph Shovels) of Flushing, Mich.; a brother, Jonathon Sage of Grand Portage, Minn.; a niece, Kathleen (Shovels) Miller of Henderson, Mich.; and a nephew, Joseph Shovels Jr. of Oakland Park, Fla.

Preceding Ron in death were both of his parents, Lloyd and Leona (Parker) Sage; as well as his brother-in-law, Joseph Shovels.

The family would like to thank the kind caregivers at Evergreen Assisted Living in Kingsford, and Florence Health Services in Florence.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at St. Mary, Queen of Peace Church with Father Mike Woempner officiating.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Ronald Parker Sage online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.