Staff Profile: Ron Schuetz
Equipment Manager, Rocky Mountain Education Center at RRCC

Meet Ron Schuetz, Equipment Manager, Rocky Mountain Education Center at Red Rocks Community College.  Qualifying for a “Colorado Native” bumper sticker, Ron’s proof is that he was born and raised in Longmont, Colorado.  Ron’s relatives and some of his immediate family still reside there.  What a wonderful foundation: being raised
in a large family circle that offers much time enjoyed together. 

After graduating from Longmont High School, Ron spent four years in the U.S. Navy that gave him some incredible adventures that he can still recall with appreciation.  His training for work on an aircraft carrier was completed in Lakehurst, New Jersey at the Navy’s (A) School, and his position was Aviation Boatswain’s Mate in “Top Side Safety.”  Ron was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia making him one of the “east coast sailors”;  from there his cruises took him to ports in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.  Ron’s most exciting cruise that brings back vivid memories was the cruise on the USS Coral Sea (CV 43) that departed from San Diego, went around the world, and ended at the Naval base in Norfolk.

Fortunately Ron’s time in the U.S. Navy (1982-1986) was during peacetime for our country so travel was relatively safe.  His appreciation for the USA is reflected in his stories about his world cruise that led to realization about “what we have that other countries do not have like clean running water and clean streets.”  He developed a deeper “appreciation for family.”   He recalls leaving home as a teenager and returning as a more mature person because of “growing experiences” like learning “to get along with shipmates” and being taught “work ethics.”  To sum up the adventure, Ron calls the Navy experience “the school of hard knocks.”

In 1986, Ron was a civilian again, pondering what  kind of work he wanted to do; during this time he had various jobs.  In 1990, Ron’s interest in the Environmental Health and Safety field led him to enroll in the Environmental Science program at Front Range Community College in Westminster, Colorado.  During his studies, Ron became a student hourly in that department.  After graduating with an Associates Degree in Environmental Science, Ron was employed at the college as a contractor to assist in the classes that he had taken for his degree.  He became an instructor and equipment manager serving the college’s clients on and off campus.  While working at FRCC, Ron met his wife Ann.  They were married in 2003, and Ann still works for the college in Computer Services.

In 2001, Ron’s work with Front Range Community College’s Environmental Science Department ended with the closing of that dept.   Because of his interactions with many people in his field, Ron decided to contact Rich Hawkins, Director of Rocky Mountain Center in Red Rocks Community College.  Ron wanted to join the team in the OSHA Training Institute known as a leader in environmental, health and safety training.  Rich Hawkins considered that there may be a vacancy for someone with Ron’s skills and then hired Ron as a contractor from 2001 to 2003.  In 2003, he became an employee in the Professional/Technical category.   The unique challenge for Ron has been to function in two areas: the safety field and the environmental field.  At FRCC, Ron spent about 20% of his time as a sole instructor in a classroom; at RRCC, Ron spends about 50-60% in this capacity.  He considers this a “growing experience,” one in which he has “enjoyed”  the rewarding “challenges.”  

Ron’s appreciation for his work and co-workers provides a special gratitude for Harvey Harnish and Joe McFadden who “helped me to develop my presentations and to achieve goals that years ago I would have thought unattainable.”   What are the personal satisfactions from Ron’s training work at Rocky Mountain Education Center?  His response: “working with people” as they accomplish the training that they need to make them “safer in their jobs and to find stability in their employment.”  Ron recalls a time when he got out of the Navy and was looking for work like his safety work in the Navy.  His encouragement to trainees is to find a job that “makes getting up in the morning worthwhile and one that helps them to meet their goals while working in the safety industry.”

How about an exciting new challenge?  This year, Ron and his wife Ann became grandparents when Ann’s daughter and her husband welcomed their first baby, Ava Ann.  Ron marvels at this wonderful addition to his life and is learning about being a new grandfather one day at a time!  There are other “kids” waiting for Ann’s and Ron’s attention: their two dogs – Jenny (11) a black Basset Hound & Labrador mix, known fondly as a “LabraWeenie”; Patches (7) a white with black patches Boarder Collie mix, known by a trait true to her breed: round-up the heard (family and Jenny).

What about an interest that presents an exciting challenge and a goal?  Ron enjoys scuba diving; he is a certified diver who has included this sport in his vacations, like the ones to Hawaii, California, Florida, and Mexico.  Ron swims 1.25 miles every morning and plans to enhance his training to reach the goal of completing the “Escape from Alcatraz Swim.”

The value of family, love of new adventures, service to country, respect for others, and gratitude for work he values and enjoys create a glimpse into the life of Ron Schuetz.  When you visit Rocky Mountain Education Center at Red Rocks Community College, spend some time with Ron; he will prove to you that the art of storytelling is alive and well in America.  You will find that he will take the time to listen to whatever you would like to share, as well.  This will also be an opportunity to express your gratitude to Ron, as we do to past and present military personnel, “Thank you for honorably serving our country.”