Ronald Alfred Warloski (Warholoski) of Eau Claire died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 at home surrounded by his family and under the care of MCHS Hospice. He was born July 9, 1936 in Columbus, Nebraska, the son of Irene and Alfred Warholoski. Ron was married 49 years to Johanna (Taminiau). The couple was married August 25, 1962 in Elst, Holland, Johanna's childhood home. They had three children: Paul, Milwaukee; Elizabeth (Giese), Eau Claire; Christine, Menomonie. Ron taught history at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire from 1964 - 2000. He attended St. Bonaventure High School in Columbus, Nebraska, and after graduating as valedictorian, Ron attended the University of Nebraska as a Griswold Scholar where he earned both a bachelor's and master's degrees. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in History from University of Pittsburgh in 1964, specializing in European social and intellectual history. Johanna and Ron lived in Koln, Germany in 1962 where Ron did research for his dissertation. When he graduated from Pitt, he accepted a position at UW-Eau Claire where he taught a variety of courses including Western Popular Culture, Western Civilization, 19th Century European History, 20th Century European History, and the course for which he gained the most student respect and notoriety: Nazis and Germany 1919-1945. He was a published scholar of German history and a masterful teacher, both in lecturing in a large hall or mentoring students in a seminar. Ron received the Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award in 1987 and the Kappa Delta Pi and Future Teachers' Club Professor of the Year Award in 1998. Ron was proud of his role as a mentor and advisor for many graduate students, assistants, and hundreds of undergraduate history majors and minors. He was Chair of the History Department from 1990 to 1996, emphasizing cultural diversity in the faculty and curriculum. He also served on numerous university and state committees, with particular interest in the early use of computers in teaching, an interest that remains a mystery to his children and grandchildren every time Ron asked them how to use email. During retirement, he now had time, energy, and money for his four grandchildren and four "adopted" grandchildren. He called retirement a second chance to be involved with his grandchildren, attending numerous sporting events, concerts, and keeping them stylishly outfitted in shoes. Ron continued to educate his grandchildren about history, religion,\r\ngeography, and many other subjects. He served on the boards of the Chippewa Valley Museum and Chippewa Valley Symphony. Ron was dependable, generous, and read a great deal. He was very loyal to his family and friends, and his children relied on him to research everything from travel plans to any major purchase. He considered his marriage to Johanna the most important part of his life. And many heard his life mottos: "always attend to body, mind, and spirit"; "all things in moderation and always have a back-up plan. He appreciated his European family, and he traveled there often to visit his wife's family. He also loved to travel, exploring the arts and culture of other countries and regions of the U.S. Ron was a deeply religious man, having been a member of the Newman Roman Catholic parish for many years. Prior to Newman, Ron was an active member of St. Patrick's Parish and School. He and Johanna mentored new church members as well as engaged couples. He was also part of a long-standing religious discussion group and actively supported the sisters at St. Bede's Monastery. Ron is survived by his wife, Johanna (Taminiau) Warloski; three children, Paul, Elizabeth (WIlliam Giese), and Christine; four grandchildren, Lucas, Jonah, Eleanor, and Simon Giese. He is also survived by his mother, Irene Warholoski. He is predeceased by his father, Alfred Warholoski. The family wishes to thank the hospice nurses at Mayo Hospice Care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations made to the Taminiau-Warloski Scholarship at UW-Eau Claire Foundation, the Warloski Family Fund at the Eau Claire Community Foundation, or Mayo Hospice Care. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire, with a public prayer service and time of reflection celebrating Ron's life beginning at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, in the Newman Parish at the Ecumenical Religious Center, 110 Garfield Ave., Eau Claire with Father George Szews officiating.

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