Obituary of Ronald A. Schelmetic

Ronald A. Schelmetic

Ronald Andrew Schelmetic, age 89, passed away on February 27th, 2024. A native of Fairfield, Ron was a graduate of Roger Ludlowe High School and the University of Bridgeport, where he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial design. In 1957, he married Anita Klein of Fairfield. He was drafted by the U.S. army shortly after their marriage, and served two years of active service, much of it at Ford Richardson, Alaska, and served in the reserves following active service.

He began his professional career in the workshop of Eliot Noyes, a New Canaan-based American architect and industrial designer, where he shared co-credit for several patents, including the IBM Selectric typewriter keyboard. He was later employed by industrial machine manufacturer Entoleter, packaging company Diamond National and Burndy Corporation, a Norwalk-based electric and electronic connector company, where he served as advertising manager until starting his own freelance consulting business, TRON TCS.

Ron was an avid athlete: a distance runner, he completed several marathons, including the New York City Marathon with a 3:59:58 time, and the Newport, Rhode Island Marathon. He was also a skier – a hobby he began during his time in Alaska in the military – and skied until age 79, primarily at Bromley Mountain in Vermont, where he worked as a volunteer. In his retirement years, he cultivated a love for golf. He was also a gourmet cook – a hobby he took up after an inspirational experience in the kitchen completing a New Year's Day dinner when the rest of the household was laid low by the flu -- a music lover, a highly skilled woodworker and a vintage automobile enthusiast. Ron loved to travel and see new places, and he and Anita experienced many memorable trips throughout the world.

Ron was a loving husband and a proud father to his son and daughter. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anita (Klein) Schelmetic of Fairfield; his daughter Tracey Schelmetic, her partner Mychael Scribner and their daughter Brianna Scribner of Danbury; his daughter-in-law Anne (Wyckoff) Schelmetic of Southbury; and granddaughters Brittany Schelmetic of Southbury and Cassandra (Schelmetic) Grey, Cassandra's husband Mark Grey and their daughter Valeska of Redding; and his sister, Barbara (Schelmetic) Pascal of Santa Rosa, California; and several nieces and nephews.

Ron was predeceased by his son, Gregg Ronald Schelmetic of Fairfield; and his parents, Andrew and Elizabeth (Farkas) Schelmetic of Fairfield.

All services for Ron will be held privately.