Ronald J. Baas Obituary

Age 84 of Portage, passed away Sunday September 7, 2025, at North Woods Memory Care. Ron was diagnosed with frontal temporal dementia. He was born February 9, 1941, the son of Peter and Ruth (Duyser) Baas, he would serve 13 years in the Army Reserves – his most memorable assignment in the Netherland for NATO. On October 13, 1962, Ron was united in marriage to Janet (Elliott) Baas who survives. Ron graduated from Kellogg High School (Class of '59). He received his BBA in 1965, teacher certification and master's degree in 1980 – all from Western Michigan University. Ron taught for 25 years for the Colon School District as an elementary teacher and was awarded the first WWMT TV "My Favorite Teacher" in 1991. Ron and his wife would retire in 1998 moving north to Arcadia, MI on Lake Michigan. They would later move to Gaylord before returning to Kalamazoo in 2013. While up north they would winter in Florida for 15 years. Ron will be remembered as a kind and compassionate person and devoted to his beloved Westies, Tucker, Kirby, Gracie, Charlie and Patsy. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws Walter and Dorcas Elliott. He is survived by his sister-in-law Nancy Johnson of Portage. Special gratitude and appreciation to Centrica Care and North Woods Memory Care for their compassionate loving care.