Mar 9, 2026

Belle Vernon

Ronald John “Pappy” Kolowitz, 78, Belle Vernon, peacefully passed away at home on Saturday, March 7, with his family near his side.

Ron was born in Allentown, January 7, 1948, son of the late Harold and Emma Klingborg Kolowitz. Ronald graduated high school from Scotland School for Veteran’s Children (Pa.) in 1966, and enlisted in the Navy the same year. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam as an aviation structural mechanic with VA-85.

Ron believed in the value of education and took every opportunity to learn as much as he could. Ron earned multiple degrees as he graduated from Greensburg Institute of Technology with a diploma in Architectural Drafting; CCAC with an Associated Degree in Science; California University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Science; and a Master of Science in Earth Science.

Ron was first employed as sheet metal mechanic and as his career advanced, he became a draftsman, mechanical system designer and design engineer for a number of engineering companies in Pittsburgh. Later, Ron was employed as a Construction Project Manager and worked on projects from Florida to Nova Scotia and from New York to Indiana.

Ron was a member of Allegheny Cycling Association and Pittsburgh Velo Club; he participated in bicycle racing for nearly 30 years. Ron participated in the Master National Time Trial Championship four years in a row. He felt the highlight of his cycling was in 2015, when he took part in a 78 mile event with his son, Scott, in the Rocky mountains of Colorado. Ron averaged 6,500 miles a year riding his bicycle and in 2009 he cycled 12,000 miles.

Ron’s interests were about love and connections with his family. He enjoyed and looked forward to fishing with Chris; bicycling and travel with Scott; and love of higher education and pursuit of professional achievement with Brian. Ron and his wife, Carole drove yearly across the country to visit Scott in Colorado and sightsee national parks. Ron also enjoyed playing and coaching ice hockey with Chris, Scott and Brian. Ron said he owed his good fortune and success to the Lord Jesus.

Ron is survived by his wife, Carole Ann Musial Kolowitz, with whom they shared 53 years of marriage, marrying on October 7, 1972. Three sons: Christopher (Michele) Kolowitz of Rostraver Township, Scott (Danielle) of Helena Mont. and Brian (Melissa) of Pittsburgh; and seven grandchildren: Ben, Olivia, Alex, Eli, Zach, Claire and Issac. Ron is also survived by siblings: Richard Kolowitz, Edythe Ambeault, Roger Kolowitz, Cheryl (John) Farkas and Robert Steckel.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at the Parzynski Funeral Home & Cremations, Family Owned and Operated, 626 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon 724-929-6183. Prayers of Transfer will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home, followed by funeral mass at 10 a.m. at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church with the Reverend Michael Thomas as celebrant. Interment will take place in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Blood Cancer United, bloodcancerunited.org.

Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website, www.parzynskifuneralhome.com