Ron Drogo, (spnited), RIP

Been away a few days, stop by on my birthday (no birthday wishes here, start a different thread or find me on Facebook for that), and this hits like a ton of bricks.
RIP Ron and condolences to his family, his friends, and all who knew the man.

 

Here's what I loved about Ron on this board:

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/posts/2561353/

Rips shit left and right, all full of piss and vinegar about asking for advice (God, that really did bug him a lot. Someone would start a thread about what to eat for dinner and I'd get some pissy PM about how people don't think for themselves any more) and within a page, we're making dinner plans.

 

IJAG, I'm really pleased by the friendship you & Ron struck up.

spnited was honest & would give you tough love.

The PM you posted between he & you was perfect. Nothing in his answer surprised me, and I'm sure it didn't surprise you either. But, it always helps to get an honest answer from someone you trust.

In some ways, he remind me of my dad. My dads not big for small talk, and to some degree, he still scares the shit out of me. But when I need good advice, or if I have a problem, he's the first person I would turn to.

I'm glad you found that in Ron.

He warmed up to me immediately when he found out we had lost a common friend on 9/1. I think he realized that despite our differences, we still had a lot in common.

I know you're hurting right now. I think we can all feel the void he's left here, so I can't imagine how you or BYH or some others feel. I hope your memories of him bring you a lot of happiness.

 

Budcrew's "re: cranky old guy" made me laugh. A lot.

Damn do I miss that cranky old guy.

 

Just a 28-year Bergen Record guy who wants to say thanks for all of your comments on behalf of Record and Newark Star-Ledger colleagues of Ron - he spent a combined 38 years at the two papers.

I have seen his "spnited" comments at times here over the years and always wondered if it was him.

Ron was more curmudgeonly on the board than in real life.

If you couldn't make deadline with clean copy, if you made mistakes, or if you didn't ask the right questions, you'd hear about it. But since those attributes were mandatory, you just did them - in which case he was a funny, friendly guy. He'd get pretty, er, blunt around deadline, but that was just because he had a passion for getting every last high school game he could into each deadline every night. Most of his colleagues learned not to take anything he said personally.

For those here who grew partly fond of his online persona but also wondered about the "grumpy" parts - I think he just came here to blow off steam. On the job, he was a prince to work with, and I don't know anyone who ever felt otherwise.

He was every bit the classic newspaperman that many of you sensed that he was.

 

That thread was all kinds of awesome.

And yeah, I miss that cranky old guy too, Beej.

 

I actually used this line at work yesterday in a similar conversation. What a great wit.

My sincerest condolences to Ron's friends and family. Things here won't be the same.

And a tip of the hat to Xan and BYH. Solid, solid guys.

 

Nicely done, Mr. H

 

I attended the funeral. There was a strong turnout, with many of his current co-workers in attendance and almost everyone who reports directly to him, I was told. Some former employees returned to pay their respects, as well.

I thought you guys would like to know that the priest referenced this thread, saying it was already 14 or so pages long, with nothing but love for Ron. He quoted some of the things written. He also mentioned Marty Noble's "Dorgo" tribute - a must-read that's linked in this thread, BTW.

I had the pleasure of working with Ron for more than a decade. Everything good that was said about him here is pretty much spot on. I've never worked with a more dedicated or tireless journalist. He was the grumpy, old editor with a heart of gold. A sweetheart of a man underneath it all.

He was also my friend, and I will miss him for the rest of my life.

The Record will be able to put someone in his job, but he'll never be replaced.

 

Funny thing about that thread. I remember reading it before Spnited commented and not thinking anything of it. Then he chimed in about Google and he was completely right. Why didn't I think of that? Then BudCrew - a nice guy - felt like an ass so he went to the well and called Spnited old. Basically a microcosm of SportsJournalists.com in three posts.

 

That's really cool. Thanks for the report. And thanks for everyone who represented.

 

What a beautiful tribute. Thanks, Tinnitus54.