Ronald David VanWitzenburg

Ronald David VanWitzenburg

Ronald David VanWitzenburg passed away peacefully on Friday, June 20, 2025, at UVA Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Ron was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in June of 2018 and was initially given 18 months to live. But he was determined to fight—every single day—for his wife, children, and grandchildren. His grit and determination gave his family so many bonus days and beautiful memories, including the gift of meeting his five youngest grandchildren. He held on long enough to celebrate one last anniversary with his beloved wife, and right up to the end, he looked forward to celebrating with her. He kept telling his doctors and nurses that he had family he was going home to.

Ron lived life to the fullest. Everyone who knew him has a larger-than-life story to tell—especially Ron. An avid outdoorsman, he loved camping, hunting, and fishing, and he passed that love down to his children and grandchildren. If you ever went out on the boat with him, you knew you weren’t coming back anytime soon. That’s how he earned the nickname “Captain One More Cast,” because no fishing trip ever ended without at least one more cast. 

He also helped create Operation D.A.P. (Dues Already Paid), a nonprofit hunt for military veterans. His memory will live on in these moments. 

Ron is survived by his wife of 44 years, Valerie; his four children: Rebecca Skeen (Aaron), Melissa Thrift (Burton), Samantha VanWitzenburg, and John VanWitzenburg (Cassie); and twelve grandchildren: Maxwell, Jack, Jeb, Nora, Reid, Dean, Henry, Charlie, Stella, Eliza, Johnny, and Emma. He is also survived by his brothers, Don VanWitzenburg (Sue) and Ray VanWitzenburg (Tracy); and his nieces and nephews, Courtney, Julia, Christine, Robert, Michael and Steve. In addition to his family, he is remembered with love by countless friends who were family in every way that mattered.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Ann Jarmuszka and Carl VanWitzenburg, and his youngest brother, William VanWitzenburg.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Brown Chapel Church, 1711 Gravel Hill Rd, Dillwyn, VA 23926.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Operation D.A.P.

Operation D.A.P. (Dues Already Paid)      

C/O   Alice Gormus                     Email:  operationdap@gmail.com

167 Allens Lake Rd                    Facebook:  Operation D.A.P. (Dues Already Paid) 

Dillwyn, VA 23936