He was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Ann Mallek, and brother, Edward Joseph Mallek.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth “Betsy” Marie Daane Mallek; his children, Brent J. Mallek (Kelly) and Gregory S. Mallek; and his beloved grandchildren, Daane W. Mallek and Emily Rose Mallek. He is also remembered by his mother-in-law, Barbara McMann Daane; sisters-in-law, Whitney Daane and Olivia Daane; nieces and nephews, Edward Mallek, Katrina Kalo (Jeffrey), Denise Johnson (Jerry), Damon Mallek (Wendy), Ki-Lin Black, and Daane Reische; and cousins Brian Hall, Larry Hall and Philip Shier.

Ron graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1957 and proudly served in the United States Naval Reserves from 1957 to 1961, receiving an Honorable Discharge. During active duty he was stationed in the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet aboard the USS Salem (CA-139), a heavy cruiser—a service that remained a lifelong source of pride.

During that time, he met Betsy, the love of his life, by chance as seatmates on a flight from Detroit to Norfolk. They married in 1961 and shared a remarkable journey together. Ron later earned his B.S. in Urban Planning from Michigan State University in 1966.

Ron’s strong work ethic began at age 14 at Kositchek’s Menswear in Lansing and foreshadowed his lifelong commitment to style and success. He holds the family record for flawlessly ironing the most white shirts in an hour. Over the decades, often dressed in his trademark starched white shirts, Ron built a distinguished national career in real estate and property appraisal as a General Certified Appraiser and Real Estate Broker in Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida. His career included roles with Mazels-Jacobs & Associates in Southfield, MI; as Director of Corporate Real Estate at The Bendix Corporation, Southfield, MI; Director of Corporate Real Estate at Allied Signal Corporation, Morristown, NJ; Asset Manager – The Americas for Concert Communications, Coral Gables, FL; and Director of Real Property for the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, Fort Lauderdale, FL. His work gave him the opportunity to travel extensively and connect with people far and wide.

Ron also gave generously of his time and expertise. He served on the Board of Economic Development in Birmingham, MI; as President of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) in both Michigan and New Jersey; as Accredited Senior Appraiser from 1971 to 2014; President of ASA’s Detroit and Northern New Jersey 1938 ~ 2025

Chapters; State Director of New Jersey; a member of ASA’s South Florida Atlantic Chapter; and as a Board of Review Member for Leelanau Township, MI, in 2023.

Ron felt blessed every day, prayed every day, and lived life to the fullest, meeting every new opportunity and experience with a joyful spirit, wideeyed enthusiasm and a perpetual smile on his face. He loved boating the waters of Lake Michigan, especially aboard his cabin cruiser Scobren, sharing adventures with his family from Grand Haven to Mackinaw and Pentwater to Northport. He also loved sailing and waterskiing with his family. An avid golfer, Ron set his clubs aside to raise his family and focus on his career but returned to the game he loved in retirement as a member of Northport Creek Golf Club. He enjoyed good food, Betsy’s extraordinary cooking, and never missed a case deal on a robust red wine at Costco.

Ron was meticulous in all things—wearing a white shirt and tie even to Detroit Tigers baseball games, raking the beach, and triplecutt ing the grass. A talented handyman, he could build and repair anything. He cheered passionately for his Michigan State Spartans, loved music from classical to contemporary, and shared many evenings with Betsy by his side watching TV shows like The Voice, and somehow always managing to predict the winner.

Above all, Ron loved, treasured, and was fiercely devoted to his wife, family, and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Martinson Funeral Home, 115 North St. Joseph Street, Suttons Bay, Michigan.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, September 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gertrude Church, 701 North Warren Street, Northport, Michigan, with a light lunch following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron’s memory to: Northport Youth Sailing School Support of the Northport Youth Sailing School helps keep young sailors on the water and the program afloat.

• Online: https://northportsailing.org/ give/

• By mail: NYSS, P.O. Box 354, Northport, MI 49670 American Heart Association – www.heart. org American Cancer Society – donate.cancer. org The family is deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and gifts made in Ron’s memory.

Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.