William A. DeRonne passed away on May 17 in Elmhurst at the age of 75. Bill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Susan, his three children, Kevin (Beth), Jane (Florian Sichling) and Paul DeRonne, as well as his three grandchildren, Willem, Hans, and Madeline. Bill was born on March 30, 1946 to Alfred and Euphrasia (Nolan) DeRonne in Detroit and grew up in and around DeRonne hardware stores with his siblings, the late Patrecia (John) McCleary, the late James (Katherine) DeRonne, and Paul (Lorrie) DeRonne. He is remembered fondly by his many nieces and nephews.
Bill’s life was a journey of joy and exploration. As a young man he entered the Augustinian novitiate before leaving to study math at IIT, where he met Susan, the love of his life. They married on May 29, 1971, and in 1976, he received his doctorate in Philosophy from DePaul University. He began working in the financial markets and found success over more than 40 years before ending his career as the Executive Director of the Masters Degree in Financial Mathematics at the University of Chicago.
Throughout his decades of commitment in his career, he told anyone who would listen – especially his children – that his job wasn’t as important to him as his family. His greatest joy was spending time with them and his extended family, in which he included his friends and his kids’ friends.
Bill was active throughout his life; he was an avid runner and biker and enjoyed playing hockey into his 40s. His interests were eclectic and extensive: poetry, cars, writing daily letters (on paper) to his kids, traveling, deer hunting, playing bridge, and reviving near-dead houseplants. A lifelong learner, he studied Buddhism and developed a meditation practice that embodied his dedication to enjoying the present and living life to the fullest. He also studied ecology and native plants and spent countless hours in the woods of southwestern Wisconsin, where he and Susan bought a cabin – the Farm – where he worked for decades to restore a native prairie and oak savanna. He was committed to giving back to his community, and once retired he volunteered as a tutor in the city, as a peace recruiter in local high schools, and at the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Throughout Bill’s struggle with dementia, he remained a kind, loving, and generous man with a quick smile, a light heart, and a mischievous sense of humor. He is greatly missed but lives on in all of those whose lives he touched.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 22 at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home, Ahlgrim Chapel. In lieu of flowers, make a donation in Bill’s name to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Kevala Retreat, or the Alzheimer’s Association. For info, 630-834-3515 or www.ElmhurstFh.com
