Obituaries

Ronald J. Nachreiner Ronald J. Nachreiner, age 73, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on October 15, 2021, after a year-long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Ron was born May 21, 1948, in Richland Center, the middle son of the late Fred and Lucille Nachreiner. Ron grew up on the family farm in Plain.  He loved being outdoors – hunting, fishing, walking in the woods, swimming in the culvert, and just getting into mischief with his family and friends.  He was also a bit of a rebel, being one of the first Plain kids to attend River Valley High School in Spring Green, graduating in 1966.  After graduating from high school, Ron moved to Madison with some of his high school buddies, working at the 7-Up bottling plant. He attended Madison Area Technical College in Madison, earning an associates degree in marketing in 1968. After receiving his associates degree, Ron enlisted in the Air Force where he spent four years on active duty including basic training in San Antonio, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, in 1968 followed by assignments at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota, from 1969 to 1971 and Phù Cát Air Base in Vietnam from 1971 to 1972 before transferring to the Navy Reserves in 1972 while he attended the University of Wisconsin-Menomonee.  Ron completed his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1975 and also worked towards a master’s degree in occupational safety and health administration. In 1976, he transferred to the Army Reserves, serving as a Reserve Technician in Lincoln, Nebraska, until 1977.  Ron’s first job as a civilian was as a management analyst at Fort Riley, Kansas. He worked in the comptroller’s office from 1977 to 1980 before deciding to change career fields so he could move closer to home. In 1980, he transferred to the civilian personnel office at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, working as a position classification specialist.  While working at Rock Island, he also met the love of his life, Nancy. In 1983, they decided to expand their career opportunities by relocating to the Washington D.C. area where Ron worked as a classifier for the Military District of Washington in Alexandria, Virginia. In 1985 they transferred to Europe where they worked for the Army Military Community in Munich, Germany. They spent every weekend and holiday traveling around Europe. While living in Germany, Ron was able to visit the original Nachreiner homestead in Waldmunchen, Germany.  They returned to Virginia in 1988 where Ron worked for the Defense Logistics Agency as a human resources specialist until his retirement in 2002.  Ron loved to travel and was always game for any adventure as long as he didn’t have to make the plans. He enjoyed traveling with his family, introducing his children to new adventures. He traveled extensively throughout the U.S. as well as Europe and the Caribbean.  Trips always involved outdoor adventures followed by music, food, and drink.  He loved all types of music and food, and made friends wherever he went, always striking up conversations with people he met on his travels. Ron is survived by his wife, Nancy; and his children, Shannon and John Nachreiner of Lorton, Virginia; his brother Steve (Rhonda) Nachreiner of Baraboo, and his sisters, Kathy (Bill) Wunnicke of Spring Green, and Judy Husteg of Hudson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lucille Nachreiner; his brother, Mike Nachreiner; and his infant son, Eric. There will be a graveside service in December, 2021, at the Rock Island National Cemetery.