Plan for the Future
*Click here to Livestream the Funeral Mass on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 10:45am*
Ronald “Ron” G. Denk, a long-time resident of Summit, passed away at Morristown Medical Center on August 25, 2024. He was 92.
Born in Elizabeth to Union Police Chief, Harold Denk and his wife Marion, Ron attended St. Mary’s High School in Elizabeth and later graduated from the Academy of Aeronautics (currently Vaughn College) in East Elmhurst, NY. He entered the Air Force in 1953 and served until his honorable discharge in 1957 with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves until 1968, achieving the rank of Captain.
Ron began his career in civil aviation as a pilot with Capital Airlines in 1957, which then merged to become United Airlines. He retired in 1992 at the mandatory retirement age of 60 as a DC-10 Captain. He immediately returned and served 3 more years as a 1st Officer.
He had a passion for photography, model airplanes, aviation history, and the history of Arctic exploration. He was a member of the Vailsburg Camera Club, Cranford-Millburn Camera Club, Retired United Pilots Association and was a parishioner and usher at St. Teresa’s RC Church in Summit.
Ron was the kindest person anyone knew and was dedicated to his family, friends and church. He was happiest when he could combine his two passions in life- photography and airplanes.
He was the beloved husband of Betty Ann Denk; loving father to Maria VanKirk and her husband Matthew of Mendham and Kathleen Williams and her husband Jacob of Falls Church, VA. He was the devoted grandfather to Neil Van Kirk and Sean and Evan Williams. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Annette Denk. Ron was predeceased by his brother, Douglas.
