Ronald Hevey

It was never my pleasure to know Ron, but I followed in his footsteps as another east sider who got an EE degree at UW in the '60s. I graduated from East HS the same year he finished his BSEE so we did not overlap on campus. He made wonderful use of his education, but it certainly looks like he had a lot of the other great experiences growing up on the east side near Olbrich Park. I thought I would share what I found on Ancestry when I looked him up. One of the most useful resources Ancestry maintains is a great collection of city directories for Madison through the '50s. In the 1956 directory (info probably collected in 1955), it lists the residents of 3626 Sargent as Gerald W Hevey (supervisor at Borden's), Helen M Hevey (Helen M Hevey Business Serv), & Ronald Hevey (employee at Monona Root Beer Drive-In). Ron would only have been 14 or 15 at the time and very few people so young were listed in the Madison directories. The Drive-In was the famous 'Hungry, Hungry, Hungry,' probably the most beloved drive-in in Madison, located only a couple of blocks from Sargent. All east siders have fond memories of this great institution. Think Mel's Drive-In in the film American Graffiti - root beer and cars. Borden's Dairy, where his dad worked, was also an iconic Madison business. It is easy to understand why he 'was Midwest through and through.'

Ron was my big cousin who I never got to see much of because his career took him to the East coast, but I do remember my sister and I playing catch and one of us broke his windshield on his 57 Chevy convertible and thought we were in big trouble but it got blown off and we were ok. Had a few conversations with Ron about both of of fighting cancer. I was the lucky one and beat it. My big cousin will always be remembered as a very smart individual who used his talents wisely. May God welcome you with open arms and say job well done my son come and join me, love you Ron.

The Hevey family had many summer picnics in the back yard at Sargent Street. My Uncle Jerry filled his brick fireplace with chicken and steaks. My aunts and Mom added many different dishes. Ron provided the entertainment driving his go cart around the track near their house. He seemed super cool to me, his younger cousin. In later years our Dads, Jim, Jerry, and Harlow became Grandpas to three boys who were very close in age. Ronnie, Jr., Tim LeFave, and Christopher Cook. What a wonderful life you lived Ron. Wish we could have one more time to meet again. Your cousin, Patricia (Patty Hevey) Cook

We live in the house that Ron grew up in, here in Madison. His dad Jerry, who was a legend in the neighborhood with his conversations and help for anyone (particularly snowblowing sidewalks up & down the block) moved across the street from the family home at some point before we moved in in 1987. Jerry was proud of Ron, whom we only met once. Obviously some great genes and minds in the Hevey line. Condolences your way. --Bob & Judy Bates

I adored my cousin, Ron for so many reasons. I made sure to tell him how much. He will be missed. He touched the lives of so many & left footprints in their hearts. We shared our love of cars, especially our convertibles. Love you..