Ronald Lee Frohriep

Ronald Lee Frohriep, 82, loving husband and father, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Ron was born on 07/31/1942 to Louise and Frederick Frohriep in Sturgis, Michigan. He grew up on a farm where he enjoyed hunting and working with his Dad and brothers and sister. He graduated from Centreville High School in 1960. Ron attended Tristate College and Western University. Ron was intrigued by the possibility of what could be done with plastics and became a Plastics Engineer. He was a member of the Society of Plastic Engineers from 1968 to 2006. His first job was with Kirsch Hardware in Sturgis where he designed traverse rods which can still be found in homes and offices throughout the United States. He then moved to Shakespeare Fly Rods. Ron then decided to become an entrepreneur. He opened his own business under the name RONCO Plastics, in Sturgis, doing injection molding. This was a very successful operation until the oil embargo. Enjoying the role of entrepreneur he opened RLF Machinery, an injection molding machine sales firm which was very successful until he retired in 2006. Ron met and Married Ellen Cherwalk in 1990. On retirement they moved to a home Ron had built in the 90’s in Northern Kewadin, Michigan. This was Ron’s favorite home. He and his beloved wife lived there for 20 years. Ron loved that home and living on the Bay more than any other. He loved buying, remodeling and landscaping homes which he did many times. Ron was an avid downhill skier and world traveler. He and Ellen spent 10 years enjoying a southern climate in Tellico Village, Tennessee where they made many wonderful friends. In 2024 Ron and Ellen moved back to his home town in Sturgis, Michigan. Ron was a devoted and loving husband. He is survived by his wife Ellen, three children, Rhonda Frohriep (Mike) Scott, Gregory Frohriep and Todd (Cindy) Frohriep. He has two step children, Richard Cherwalk and Robert Cherwalk. His grandchildren include, Summer Smith, Skylar Cherwalk, Sophia Cherwalk, Chloe Cherwalk, Maxwell Slater, Rachel Frohriep and Luke Frohriep. He has one great grandson, Mason Slater. His surviving siblings include Harold Frohriep , Janice Birkhold and Gene (Sherry) Frohriep. His memorial service was held on Sunday, January 19, 2025 in the church where he grew up, Trinity Lutheran Church, in Sturgis, Michigan.