Ronald Robert Ludin, of the Town of Polk, passed away Friday, August 26, 2011 at the age of 62 years. He died peacefully surrounded by his family at the Kathy Hospice after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Ron was the son of Robert and Adeline (nee Preuss), born on Sept. 12, 1948. He grew up in Wauwatosa and attended Wauwatosa West H.S. He then completed an IronWorkers apprenticeship and became a well respected iron worker following in his father's and uncles' footsteps.

Early in Ron's adulthood, his love of travel and adventure took him to Hawaii, Peru and the Pacific Northwest. He also enjoyed being with family and friends in the Mercer/ Sayner area in northern Wisconsin.

Ron enjoyed the many simple pleasures of nature. Living on Little Cedar Lake, provided the opportunity for slow pontoon boat rides during the sunset hours, bird watching, maple tree tapping in the springtime, gardening, and having a beer with friends. He also had a great love for dogs; rarely would you see him without Sasha and Abby at his side. Ron also loved helping others with special woodworking projects.

Ron is survived by his father, Robert; his brothers Alan (Carrie) and Jeffrey (Linda) Ludin; nephews and nieces Amy (James) Gentry, Rachel (fiancé AJ) Schmitz, Michael (Nicole) Ludin, Jessica Ludin, and "Little Jeff" Ludin; great-nieces and great-nephews, Ada and Will Gentry, Jason Ludin, and Olivia Ludin. He is further survived by many relatives and close friends.

He is preceded in death by his mother Adeline and sister Roberta.

A Memorial Service for Ronald will be at 6:00 PM on Friday, September 2, 2011 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel, 1420 W. Paradise Dr. in West Bend. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until time of service (6:00PM). A private interment will be held at Pinelawn Cemetery in Milwaukee.

Donations may be made to the Kathy Hospice (3200 Pleasant Valley Rd., West Bend, WI 53095) or the American Cancer Society (Attn: June Downey, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64105).

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the St. Joseph's Hospital, West Bend ECC physician Dr. Matousek and staff; Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital Patient Care Unit 5NW nursing and medical staff; the Kathy Hospice staff including Drs. Herdrich and Smith; and "the Bird Man", Dusty Lange, at the Kathy Hospice who became a very special friend to Ron and brightened his days.

The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family (262) 338-2050 www.phillipfuneralhome.com.