Submitted by: Dan Rich
South Bend Tribune 11-28-1959
Jan. 4, 1907 – Nov. 25, 1959
Ronald E. Rich, 1146 E. South Street, professor and Head of the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Notre Dame since 1942, died at 7 p.m. Wednesday in his home at age of 52.
Death was attributed to a malignancy. Prof. Rich who was born in Mishawaka Jan. 4, 1907, had been in ill health for the last 18 months.
He was known here as a caller of square dances and was nationally known for his efforts to revive the popularity of this form of dancing.
He was a past President of the American Callers Assn., a past board member of the South Bend YMCA and a member of the Holy Name Society and the Ushers Club of St. Joseph Church.
Prof. Rich was a plan engineer for the General Chemical Co. in Chicago before joining the Notre Dame faculty in 1931. He received his bachelor of science degree at Notre Dame in 1928 and a master of science degree in 1933. He also took graduate work at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
A specialist in heat transfer, Prof. Rich was a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the American Society of Engineering Education.
Prof. Rich married Lucille Bickel in 1930 and is survived by his wife, his father, Daniel Rich, of Mishawaka; two sons, Daniel Rich, of Phoenix Ariz., Joseph Rich, of St. Louis Mo.; a daughter, Mrs. Dale Litherland, of San Marcos, Tex. and a grandson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Joseph Chruch, with burial in Highland Cemetery. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. oday by the Faculty Club of Notre Dame and at 8 p.m. by parish members at the Hickey Funeral Home.