Ronald Robert “Ron” Zdroik, 66, Stevens Point, a former sergeant with the Stevens Point Police Department, died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, at the Portage County Health Care Center in Stevens Point, following a battle with cancer.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stevens Point, with the Rev. Jerzy Rebacz officiating.
Visitation was scheduled to be held at Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home in Stevens Point from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, with a parish rosary at 7 p.m., and at the church from 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, until the Mass.
Memorials in his name will be established at a later date.
Condolences may be offered online at www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
Mr. Zdroik was born July 1, 1946, in Stevens Point, a son of the late Harry and Grace (Kostuchowski) Zdroik. He graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point.
He joined the U.S. Navy on Jan. 5, 1966. He served during the Vietnam War. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Star and one Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. He was wounded in battle during his service and earned the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 5, 1969. He re-enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was honorably discharged on Sept. 6, 1971.
He was married to Victoria de Leon on July 9, 1969, in Manila, Philippines.
Mr. Zdroik spent his entire law enforcement career with the Stevens Point Police Department after being hired on Jan. 1, 1972. He served as a patrol officer and achieved the rank of corporal in 1989 and sergeant in 1996. He was also involved with the special weapons (SWAT) team and volunteered with Special Olympics. He retired from the department in 1999.
He served as a volunteer warden for several years. He spent the last 11 winters traveling in his recreational vehicle to areas in the southern and western U.S.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Daniel (Kelly), Brentwood, Calif., and Tony (Tracy), western Wisconsin; his “other son,” Keith “Buck” Leary, Las Vegas, Nev.; one sister, Linda (Rich) Rasmussen, Plover; and six grandchildren.
