Sorry I could not join you on Saturday but Health prohibits it. Could not understand how i could develop a life long friendship with a Green Bay Packer fan, but we grew on each other. Teaching all those years at Wilmot/Caruso was a special time. We shared a room on Outdoor Ed. Helped me coach basketball, started coaching the girls. Worked on cross country. His mock trials,walkabout was a special teacher. And giving EVERY student a nickname, have not met a student that forgot that name. Thanks for being my friend, you are and will be missed.

Ron was one of my closest cousins when we were growing up, sooo many memories.  I remember many Friday nights when our parents,, my mom & his dad were brother & sister, got together & played cards & Ron & I would play games for hours.  Ron was a year ahead of me in school so ran in different circles but when we got together it was so much fun.  You are one of a kind my dear cousin & will be missed as you travel to your next adventure...

Ron Wienke no one like him
 Ron was a bit of an eccentric; I would tell him he was crazy. Who else would spend hours, days, weeks to make sure each one of his 100 plus students had a nickname. The nicknames would make each student feel special, unique. Ron and I worked together at Wilmot/Caruso school. 
  He was not happy when I first arrived as he preferred the young miniskirt wearing librarian who preceded me. From my observation, no other teacher I had worked with had their students enjoy the poetry unit as much as Ron students. Halloween was a favorite time for Ron, as he would gather his students together and tell them ghost stories in a darkened classroom, Of course, each year he would hold his famous “trial “after students read “Walkabout”. Something that would not likely occur in today’s curriculum.
 Yes, Ron would be the first teacher to arrive in the morning and one of the last to leave each night.
 Among his passions were long distance running, biking, and his second family, his teammates Collette, Nada, Kathy and Jerry. He was dedicated to them as much as he was dedicated to his own family. One summer, after school was out, Ron decided to ride his bike down to New Orleans. He made it. As high school graduation presents to his daughters, he would bike ride around Lake Michigan with the graduating daughter. He also tried to bike to Washington D.C and to Phoenix. Not much success there.
Yes, I was fortunate that Ron considered me a friend.

Prayers for the family in this time of loss. I have many memories of spending time with the Wienke family. One of the things I remember was Mr. Wienke taking the time to teach basketball to Dawn and Ginger during the summer at Maplewood school. I would dit on the side and watch. I loved it 😊

Mr. Weinke was the best teacher. Even 30 years later still remember him as the best. Not a single other English class in my life got me to pay attention, but Mr. Weinke made it happen.  Also a fantastic Cross-Country coach as well.  Legendary is the word to describe him as a teacher and coach, and will live on in the stories I shall pass down of how great he was.

- Whirlaway

Ron was a very gifted teacher and friend. His students loved him. In his retirement he substituted. He was one of the very few subs that students welcomed enthusiastically.
He is a huge loss to family and friends.

I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Mr. Wienke as my basketball coach in 7th grade at Wilmot. And I  have thought about him many times throughout my life, great memories! I remember him as such a caring man. Always there if you needed him. I’ve talked to my husband about him so often that his name is known in my family. Though I haven’t seen him since, I feel like we have lost a great man! 
Sue Strakusek Dunkleman

Mr. Wienke was my 7th Grade homeroom teacher and a basketball coach on our team.  I remember him vividly, with warm thoughts.  Always kind and supportive, we all liked, trusted and respected him.  "His way" taught me good habits and personal discipline to come to class prepared in having done my homework each night.  Lessons I carried forward  which made me a better academic student, and a student of life.
What a good, colorful man.  Loved Ron Wienke.   And thank you, Sir!
So sad to hear of this passing.  😢 God bless the Wienke family.  God bless us all.
-Michael DeSmet

Mr. Wienke was my 7th-grade English teacher and basketball coach. He always called me “Doodle”! I know I wasn’t the easiest kid to deal with, but he was incredibly patient and supportive. No matter what, he never let me feel like I was being left behind. I’ll always remember the fun times in his classroom and the impact he had on me. I hope everyone has the chance to learn from a teacher like Mr. Wienke. He will be deeply missed.
Love,
Sara Trachtman aka Doodle

My favorite teacher ever.  He inspired me to become a teacher.  He saw value in me when others didn't.  Forever grateful for his lessons in my life.  Rest in Peace sir.  

Love,

Todd E. Narrol

I moved to Deerfield right before seventh grade. Mr Weinke took his time out to help me academically and through a serious depression. His humor,  love, and passion for teaching were a great influence on me. He is one of many who gave me inspiration in my own teaching career. We don't always know what impact we make on our students.  Thirty-seven years after I was lucky enough to be in his class, I still remember the impact he had on me.   My sincere condolences to his family.

Please donate to Parkinson’s Disease in honor of Ron instead of flowers. Here are 2 foundation links to do so. 

https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout

https://support.apdaparkinson.org/site/Donation2?1400.donation=form1&df_id=1400&mfc_pref=T

Mr. Wienke saved my life in so many ways. As my 7th grade homeroom/language arts teacher and basketball coach he was hands down the most influential person in my life outside of my family.  He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and is the reason I went into education. They say angels walk among us and there is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Wienke was truly an angel on earth. He made every person that he came in contact with feel as if they were the most important in the world. He touched the lives of countless students throughout his teaching career and lives on through the incredible impact he had on every single one of us. My deepest condolences to his family, who were his pride and joy, as they navigate through unbearable grief. Please let me know if there is anything at all that I can do.

Great Granddaughter in the drivers seat before a trip to Minnesota to see his sister

The best! Papa came to his great grandsons class to read as a surprise and it was THE BEST!!!

Packer season won’t be the same without you ❤️

Papa and I! ❤️ he was my very best friend

My thoughts are with the family.  He made 7th grade English so engaging and helped develop my love of literature.  May his memory be a blessing.

OBITUARY

Ronald Oscar Wienke

March 24, 1940 – February 10, 2025

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