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Donald C. Ruokonen Glen Burnie, MD QCWA # 33117 |
On Saturday, January 12, 2019, Donald C. Ruokonen passed away after a two-year battle with colon cancer. Don was born in Baltimore on July 12, 1946, the only child to the late Donald Bernhardt and Anni (Kemila) Ruokonen. He graduated from Dundalk High School in 1964 and entered the University of Maryland that fall.
He relocated to Montgomery County and Prince George's County in the late 60's and married Donna (Roll) Ruokonen formerly of District Heights in 1970.
He owned and operated a home-renovation company in the early 70's before beginning employment in the Department of Assessments and Taxation in Prince George's County. While a state employee, he earned a B.S. from the University of Maryland's School of Education in 1976. Simultaneously he served as a medical corpsman in the District of Columbia Army National Guard from 1969 to 1975, receiving an honorable discharge as a PV 2nd class.
Don was an adventurer and loved traveling, at one time spending a full year on the road with wife and daughter Malinda Ann in a 32-foot RV traveling across the U.S. before settling and building a custom home in Colorado Springs, CO.
His love of Maryland and the East Coast prompted his returning with family to Maryland in 1993. Don chose Annapolis for a home and worked for ten years at the Johnson Lumber Company.
Don loved electronics and was an avid amateur radio operator under the call sign K3PRN which he began using when he was 16 years old and operated under until a few months before his death. He earned numerous certifications working all states and working 100 countries and was a member of the Arundel Amateur Radio League.
Don also worked part-time during retirement as a Park Ranger at Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena. He loved the outdoors, photography, hiking, backpacking. He also loved to shoot skeet and trap. Don loved being near the water and his spirit of adventure led him to live aboard a 43-foot motoryacht with Donna for four years in Annapolis.
He was a devoted Christian and member at the Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church. His love of service to others included membership in the Lions Club both in Maryland in the 1970's and in Colorado where he was President of the T-Gap Lions Club from 1987-88.
He was an enthusiastic Orioles and Ravens fan and also enjoyed rooting for the University of Alabama football team.
Most of all Don enjoyed working with youth, taught Sunday school and served as a youth group leader with the Lutheran Church and military chapel in Colorado Springs. He also taught Sunday school and worked with the United States Naval Academy Chapel Protestant Youth Group.
Don is survived by his wife of 48 years, Donna; his beloved daughter, Malinda Ann Ruokonen of Baltimore; two cousins, Craig O. Ruokonen and Ronald D. Ruokonen both of PA; and Mousey IV, and Marley.
Friends are invited to celebrate Don's life on Friday, January 18, 2019 with a viewing from 9 a.m. until a funeral service begins at 10 a.m. at the Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church, 38 W. Central Ave., Edgewater.
A private burial will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Don's memory may be made to Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church or Wellness House of Annapolis, 2625 Mas Que Farm Road, Annapolis, MD 21403
Online condolence may be given at: KalasFuneralHomes.com
Published in The Capital Gazette on Jan. 16, 2019