Ron was born Oct. 17, 1937, in Dexter, Iowa, the son of Harry and Helen (Wigton) Dunmire. He graduated from Earlham Consolidated High School in Earlham, Iowa. He married his college sweetheart, Jo Sparsman, on Sept. 8, 1957, in Donnellson, Iowa. Ron attended college at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, receiving a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1961. Ron remained an avid Hawkeye fan his entire life.
Ron joined Cedarapids Inc (then known as Iowa Manufacturing Company), a Raytheon Company, immediately following graduation from college and in 1983, was made the CEO and president.
Ron was one of those memorable individuals whose industrial foresight, intense organizational skills and personal interaction and drive, impacted the lives of not only those who worked for him, but
also the industry and its contractors. His company manufactured equipment for the asphalt, and aggregate crushing and screening industry. His energy and personal commitment to excel and do what was right helped move and shape the Hot Mix Asphalt industry in Iowa, nationally and worldwide. In manufacturing, Ron's ability to foresee and identify industry needs and trends inspired people who worked under his leadership. Ron had an "Open Door" policy and excelled in customer relations. Taking customer calls directly, Ron would, at times personally be involved in correcting field problems; not because he had to, but because he wanted to. Iowa Contractors knew that any commitment from Mr. Dunmire was worth its weight in gold.
Ron was a driver of new technology and his foresight proved critical to the success of his company and the industry on a number of occasions which led to development of new systems and acquisitions of additional companies. Ron's inspirational drive and challenging nature influenced his employees and under his tutelage, revolutionized the way we crush rock in the world today.
Ron Dunmire was a pillar in the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and served on several of its committees. He served as the associate's council's first chairman. Ron's passion, drive, foresight and business ethics were well acknowledged in other industry groups. In 1983, Ron was nominated and voted to serve on the board of directors for the construction industry Manufacturers Association of Equipment, through some very tumultuous times. CIMA, is now known as the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). His active participation there brought him to be elected as the CIMA chairman of the board in 1990. After which Ron was given the title of "Life Honorary Director and Past Chairman."
Ron was also on the board of directors of the National Asphalt Pavement Association and American Road and Transportation Builders Association. He was a member of American Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists, Society of Automotive Engineers and Iowa Engineering Society, The National Research Council of the Transportation Research Board and was president of the University of Iowa Engineering Advisory Board.
Ron was the holder of numerous patents for asphalt equipment and was given several awards including being honored as an Iowa Hot Mix Hall of Fame Award winner and he received the National Management Association Gold Knight of Management Award in 1993 for achievement as a professional manager. He also held positions on the Junior Achievement Board, the United Way Board Linn County Chapter, Birthright Advisory Board, Isaac Newton Christian Academy Board, Tuesday Noon Optimists and a member of the Presidents Club of the University of Iowa. After retirement, he was a member of the board of directors of Astec Industries Inc. in Chattanooga, Tenn.
In spite of Ron's accomplishments, he was a man of humility and integrity and was ferocious about protecting those he loved. Ron had a personal relationship with his Lord and Savior and was a member of First Assembly of God in Cedar Rapids. Along with his wife, Ron was the director of Prayer Warriors and Healing Rooms of Cedar Rapids at First Assembly. Ron loved to have coffee with his buddies, golf, cheer on his Hawkeyes and to spend time with his family.
Ron was a wonderful husband, father, "Bumpa" and friend, whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, one brother, his mother and father in-law, a sister-in-law and a brother-in-law.