Capt Ron
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Captain Ron Heitman passed away November 19, 2017 surrounded by his family.
Capt. Ron was born on February 18, 1939 in San Diego, CA.
Ron married the love of his life Betty Fellows on September 24, 1960. They have two children Lori and Rony and always taught them about respect, treating no soul different; about money, business, and hard work; to always keep your head up and smile with his favorite saying “this too shall pass.”
Ron was a well-respected executive for over 36 years in the aerospace industry. He worked countless hours and making immense business deals in the aerospace world that motivated him to the top of the ranks rapidly. Ron retired from Rohr Aerospace from Riverside, California in 1995. Ron and Betty on occasion would sneak away to Las Vegas from San Diego and even Destin, he loved the bright lights of the strip, playing poker, watching the high rollers throwing dice, and hanging out in the Keno rooms. Captain Ron loved hanging out on the beaches of San Diego (Mission Beach) it was a Kearny high school hangout in the early days (That’s the high school he graduated from).
In 2001, the Captain Ron phenomenon started on the Emerald Coast as he made his mark at the Baytowne Marina located in the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. In the early years, he ran the marina from the mouth of the channel on a-dock. He became a pillar of the marina by cutting up with the boat owners, chatting with the guests, answering all the patrons’ questions, and this is where the now famous “Captain Ron’s Cove” came into existence. Captain Ron wanted to make a spot for the “weekenders”, and the guests that didn’t have a boat slip or had a smaller vessel that wanted to hang out at the resort for the weekend. Captain Ron used his character, charisma and wisdom to make the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic what it is today, and where it is today has received national attention. His office door at the marina was always open…especially if you needed a laugh, talk sports, a stern talking to (he gave plenty of those), or if you simply wanted to chat about life. He didn’t care if you had a 70’ foot yacht on a-dock or if you were docking the dinghy for the weekend, he cared about you the person!
He lived life with class and with respect. He was the last of a dying breed. He never met a stranger. When you stood next to him you felt his knowledge, you saw his grace, you felt his power and when he spoke…you listened to every word. This world will never see another man like “Captain Ron” Heitman and for the world, I am sad.
Captain Ron is survived by his beautiful wife Betty Heitman, his brother Richard Heitman, his daughter Lori Wood and his son Rony Heitman; five “grand boys” B.J. Wood, Nick Wood, Rony V. Heitman, Lucas Heitman and Cody Heitman three great grandkids Staley Davis, Maddox Wood and Harper Wood.
Capt. Ron’s celebration of life will be at Sandestin Marina in Santa Rosa Beach on Sunday, December 3rd at 1:00 PM.
“Capt. Ron…Standing by”
The funds from your generosity will allow the family tp pay for medical bills and Capt Ron's wishes of being cremated. The family would like to say thank you for overwhelming love and support.
Capt. Ron was born on February 18, 1939 in San Diego, CA.
Ron married the love of his life Betty Fellows on September 24, 1960. They have two children Lori and Rony and always taught them about respect, treating no soul different; about money, business, and hard work; to always keep your head up and smile with his favorite saying “this too shall pass.”
Ron was a well-respected executive for over 36 years in the aerospace industry. He worked countless hours and making immense business deals in the aerospace world that motivated him to the top of the ranks rapidly. Ron retired from Rohr Aerospace from Riverside, California in 1995. Ron and Betty on occasion would sneak away to Las Vegas from San Diego and even Destin, he loved the bright lights of the strip, playing poker, watching the high rollers throwing dice, and hanging out in the Keno rooms. Captain Ron loved hanging out on the beaches of San Diego (Mission Beach) it was a Kearny high school hangout in the early days (That’s the high school he graduated from).
In 2001, the Captain Ron phenomenon started on the Emerald Coast as he made his mark at the Baytowne Marina located in the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. In the early years, he ran the marina from the mouth of the channel on a-dock. He became a pillar of the marina by cutting up with the boat owners, chatting with the guests, answering all the patrons’ questions, and this is where the now famous “Captain Ron’s Cove” came into existence. Captain Ron wanted to make a spot for the “weekenders”, and the guests that didn’t have a boat slip or had a smaller vessel that wanted to hang out at the resort for the weekend. Captain Ron used his character, charisma and wisdom to make the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic what it is today, and where it is today has received national attention. His office door at the marina was always open…especially if you needed a laugh, talk sports, a stern talking to (he gave plenty of those), or if you simply wanted to chat about life. He didn’t care if you had a 70’ foot yacht on a-dock or if you were docking the dinghy for the weekend, he cared about you the person!
He lived life with class and with respect. He was the last of a dying breed. He never met a stranger. When you stood next to him you felt his knowledge, you saw his grace, you felt his power and when he spoke…you listened to every word. This world will never see another man like “Captain Ron” Heitman and for the world, I am sad.
Captain Ron is survived by his beautiful wife Betty Heitman, his brother Richard Heitman, his daughter Lori Wood and his son Rony Heitman; five “grand boys” B.J. Wood, Nick Wood, Rony V. Heitman, Lucas Heitman and Cody Heitman three great grandkids Staley Davis, Maddox Wood and Harper Wood.
Capt. Ron’s celebration of life will be at Sandestin Marina in Santa Rosa Beach on Sunday, December 3rd at 1:00 PM.
“Capt. Ron…Standing by”
The funds from your generosity will allow the family tp pay for medical bills and Capt Ron's wishes of being cremated. The family would like to say thank you for overwhelming love and support.
Organizer
BJ Wood
Organizer
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
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