Ronnie Stemen, Class of 1973

Ronnie Stemen ’73 died April 12, 2023. Ron was born January 16, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio to the late Jay and Ellen (Grove) Stemen. After graduating from Otterbein College, where he was a member of the “O” Club, played basketball and was in Sigma Delta Phi (Spinx) fraternity, Ron devoted 30 years to teaching physical education and coaching. His first contract was with Big Walnut Schools where he taught and coached for two years. He then accepted a similar position with the Northridge Schools System, where he stayed for the remainder of his career. Throughout those years, Ron spent time coaching football, boys’ and girls’ basketball, and baseball. A highlight of his coaching career was being selected to serve as an assistant coach in the Licking – Muskingum County All Star Football Game. Coach Stemen was very dedicated to and passionate about both his teaching duties and coaching assignments. He was proud to watch his students and athletes’ personal and athletic development.

In addition to teaching and coaching, Ron developed and ran a very successful excavation business. Over the years, he laid countless miles of field tile for farmers, built driveways, graded land, and installed septic systems for new homes.

Ron grew up in the Sunbury Methodist Church and as a teenager attended MYF along with friends and classmates. Once retired from teaching and coaching, Ron loved attending high school and college games, watching the Buckeyes and baseball Cardinals on TV, and golfing with his buddies.

Ron is survived by his sister Alice Tozer; nephew Micah (Candace Painter) Tozer; and his great niece Genevieve Bobbi Tozer.