Ronald S. Papanek, 88 of Evanston, Illinois passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Ronald was born on October 17, 1934, in Bratislava, Slovakia to Stephen and Elizabeth (Tomaska) Papanek and came to the United States with his family when he was 14 years old. He met the love of his life, Ingrid, on the first day that she came to work at the First National Bank of Chicago, and they celebrated 60 years of marriage.
Ronald proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He graduated from Roosevelt University with a B.A. in Accounting, an M.A. in Accounting, and an M.A. in Finance; and taught as an adjunct professor at Roosevelt University. Ronald was a financial executive at Real Estate Research corporation and First National Bank of Chicago, which later was acquired by JPMorgan Chase. He had a successful career in banking and finance and was personally selected by the CEO of the bank to attend the Stanford Executive Program. Ronald was appointed by Governor Thompson to serve on the Compensation Commission, which recommended the salaries of various government officials. In the early 1980’s he lived in Saudi Arabia with his wife, Ingrid, and negotiated international oil rig contracts for Aramco, the largest company in the world at that time. Ronald enjoyed music, theater, tennis, watching football and everything Slovak.
Ronald was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ingrid. He is survived by son, Ron (Sandy) Papanek; daughter, Lee (Carl) Lane; sisters Marlene Berka and Vera (John, preceded in death) Conway, grandchildren Ella Papanek, Clay Papanek and Sylvester Lane; brother-in-law Bengt (Inger) Bergh, sister-in-law Ragnhild (Larry, preceded in death) Naylor, nieces Marlene (Tom) Slager and Charlotte (Ken, preceded in death) Pollack, and nephews Roman Berka, Tony Berka, Peter Berka, Mark (Jaime) Naylor, and Thomas (Lisette) Bergh, as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church, 5106 N. LaCrosse Ave, Chicago, IL 60630. Interment of ashes to take place immediately following at Winnetka Covenant Church, 1200 Hibbard Road, Wilmette, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://raise.stjude.org/fundraiser/4794491
GUESTBOOK
My deepest condolences. Ronald was a great brother in law and a wonderful and caring husband to my dear sister. It is a comfort to know that they now are together for eternity and Home with God. Ronald, you will be missed. Love, -Ragnhild Naylor
With sincerest sympathies, May you rest in peace. You were a fine man. Now you are with Ingrid, one of my best friends. I’ll miss both of you. -Bonnie Oh, Ph.D. Retired professor of history, Georgetown University, Sherman Plaza, Evanston, IL
