Ronald Converse of Conroe, TX, passed away surrounded by his family on the evening of Sunday, February 13, 2022, in Austin, TX, at age 81.
Ron was born in Kansas City, KS, to Helen Barger Converse and John R. Converse on April 28, 1940. An athletic youth, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a teenager and was an accomplished college swimmer and diver. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1958 and received his BS degree from K-State and his MS and EdS from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. Ron married Betty Steiner in Kansas City, MO, in 1965, and they remained happily married for 56 years until his death.
Passionate about education, Ron taught high school chemistry at Shawnee Mission Northwest and created the applied sciences program at Shawnee Mission West in Shawnee Mission, KS, before moving to Conroe to become the school district’s science administrator, where he helped modernize classroom science facilities and started the Academy of Science & Technology. During his career, he received numerous honors and accolades, including being named one of the six top chemistry teachers in the nation and Outstanding Science Coordinator in the country.
Along with being a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, Ron had numerous interests outside of work. He was an avid fisherman and an accomplished woodworker who specialized in creating intricate designs on his scroll saw. He also enjoyed gardening, playing blackjack and poker, and taking long road trips across the country with his wife. Ron is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Arthur. He is survived by his wife Betty Converse, daughter Stacy Sparks, son Brad Converse, sister Pat Rankin, sister-in-law Janie Steiner, son-in-law Chris Sparks, granddaughters Alyssa and Mary Sparks, nephew Allen Rankin and his children Randi and Natalie, and niece Deb Leonard and her children Danny and Lila.
Visitation will be from 12:30-1:30 pm followed by Funeral Services at 1:30 pm Monday, February 21, 2022 at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia Street, Lenexa, KS with graveside to follow AT Edwardsville Cemetery, Edwardsville, KS. Information about a separate memorial service in Conroe, TX, is forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.