Ronald Ferguson Obituary

It is hard to believe that it has been 20 years since your death. I still remember meeting you after work for pizza and ending up driving home in a blizzard. I think of you often and pray for your help and guidance. Rest In joy and laughter and music in God´s paradise for you. Always with the greatest love and affection. Your friend John

Rest In Peace, dear friend I think of you and pray for you often. Love & Hugs John & Lulu

When I was a student at Loyola Academy in the early 70s, I had the pleasure of having Rev. Ferguson as my math teacher. At the time, I struggled with math, but he always challenged us to do better. In his deep voice, words I will always remember him saying, "Think, it doesn't hurt!" He looked like a stern man, but underneath he was a kind and wonderful teacher to have. Thank you for all you did for me.

When Ron Ferguson died, I lost my best friend. No matter where I lived or where he traveled, he was always there for me. He always had a wise word, a gentle touch or an insightful suggestion to help me lead my life. I was 10 years old when I first met Ronnie and he was always my spiritual advisor until he passed on. I still have times when I wish I could talk to him. And I pray to him for help because I truly believe he was one of God's saints on earth. His heart and mind were always true to the real meaning of God's love. You are missed friend and I hope to see the day you are made a saint! Always with loads of love and affection. John

I worked for Father Ferguson at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. He helped me a lot during my college days and he was also my personal mentor. I am very sad to learn of his demise.

Was sorry to hear of Ron's passing. I played many chess games with Ron during my years at Cathedral High School. I'd like to say I enjoyed winning those games but that hardly ever happened. I'm sure the Heavenly players are giving him a better game than I ever could. May his soul rest in the Peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

It's an amazing thing for me to discover these tributes to Ron Ferguson while doing a Google search to track down some of the history of those Black Jesuit Gatherings that someone else mentioned. Ron mentored the Blackness in my Jesuit life at a pivotal time. Somehow he discovered my arrival at Loyola University in 1972 and got me to attend my first ever meeting of Black men in priesthood and religious life. The rest is history. I moved from physics teaching to Black parish ministry. I found new life. I wanted to see you one more time, Ron, at Thanksgiving 2002, but, instead, found your death notice on the LU Jesuit bulletin board. A sad shock. Bye-bye, Ron, and thanks again.

Although Ron was a year ahead of me at Cathedral HS, we hung out together. Visited each other's places to mess around with our HO gauge model trains. Did a few recitals together, too. He was a very good flute player, back then....

I was introduced to the cruel world of racial injustice when we tried to go together to a local amusement park. That park went out of business shortly thereafter. Poetic justice.....

I last talked to Ron about 2 years ago, having lost track of him for over 40 years. He'd just gotten back from a big model train show. He was still into trains!! I guess I still sorta am - selling the durned things at the hobby shop where I still part-time it.

Goodbye, Ron. Let me know if you need any HO equipment. I can get you a heck of a discount.....

Moe Whittemore (CHS '52)

I got to know Fr. Ferguson while he was an Assistant to the President of Loyola University and I was in the Alumni Office and I helped him with alumni matters and he would kid me for not swimming enough in the Lewis Towers pool. He did a good job also of celebrating Mass on Mondays at the Lewis Towers Chapel. We had a mutual friend in Natale Vitek, a sales representative at the Seneca Hotel, and we went to lunch together with her several times. He was a good and friendly priest and person. I called him several times when he was in St. Joseph Hospital and was quite surprised that he died so quickly in Michigan. I am sure that God will reward him for his good Jesuit life. May he rest in peace.



Marty Lane

Assistant Director,

Alumni & Special Events

Loyola University Chicago

I was so sorry to hear of Fr. Ferguson's passing. When I was an employee in Loyola University's Development Office, I would work out in the Lewis Towers weight room during my lunch hour. Fr. Ferguson would often be up there on the 16th floor with me. We talked a lot about work-out regimens, railroads, theology, and University bureaucracy. I enjoyed these conversations and they are part of the fond memories I have of my days at Loyola. I wish that I had kept in better touch with him. Ron, you're in my thoughts and prayers. May God grant you eternal peace and happiness in that great big railroad yard in the sky!

Ron was a true gentleman, a good, gentle man. "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into your Master's joy."

Ron Ferguson was a substantial member of the Black Jesuits Gathering from our first meeting, January, 1977. Devoted, honest, caring and faithful. He was a friend of, for, and within the Society. God blessed us, all.

I deeply regret Ron Ferguson's departure from this life. Among African American Jesuits he was our senior. He lived that role with wisdom and grace. I cannot remember any time when Ron was not gentle, patient and encouraging. My singular satisfaction right now is that Ron and I were able to share a meal only two months ago, after not having seen one another in more than four years.

On behalf of all the young people who grew under your mentorship, or tried to keep up with you on a bicycle or in a canoe, thank you for being the great person you have been, Father Ron.



With much love,

Rich Gayes

I have lost a wonderful friend, who, in the years I knew him, enriched my life with solid advice, good humor, and a spirituality I admired. He was always a source of strength in times of stress and on those occasions when I needed the voice of a friend, a brother, and a priest. I shall miss you, Ron, but this is part of "the plan."

I was fortunate to know and have the opportunity to serve with him at Loyola Academy. He was a gracious, upbeat, and wonderful human being. It was a privilege to be his colleague on the Academy faculty. He was a very helpful mentor during the spectrum of my time at Loyola. We also shared an interest in railroads which resulted in numerous energized conversations about the latest goings-on among the model railroad community, as well as real-life rail action as we related what we had seen and where. Though I am sad at his loss from our presence, I count my blessings for having had the opportunity to know him.



Pat Moorhead

LA '60

LA faculty 71-90

Ron, I am sorry we were not able to maintain contact over the years - my loss. May God receive you into his kingdom. Remember us, your CHS classmates, to our Lord.

Within a month of having me in Freshman Algebra at Loyola Academy my father received a call at his office from Father Ferguson. "Tim is a competent student, but he exhibits a somewhat cavalier attitude that I think we best nip in the bud." I asked my dad that night what "cavalier" meant, and he said, "you're trying to get by on your personality." I never forgot that warning. For years afterwards my father used that example as "the reason you send your children to a school like Loyola."

Fortunately, I ran into Father Ferguson downtown about 5 years ago and renewed a relationship with him. I can't feel too sad, assuming that there is something to it all, knowing that he is enjoying the reward of his faithful and fruitful life.

Good-bye dear friend. You were there in the formation of my faith. Thanks for listening to the utterances of your "lads". Your patience will always be remembered. Niles College /Loyola University '73.

On behalf of the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers, I wish to extend my condolences to all who knew Ron. He had been a member of our model railroad club for many years and he was a good friend. We will miss him on this earth. May he enjoy all the glories of Eternal Life, including a bit of model railroading in Heaven.

PRAISE GOD FOR LENDING RON TO US HERE ON EARTH. WELL DONE, REST IN PEACE!

We will miss you and pray for you.Please pray for us.