Lake Forest Obituary: Ronald Pawl, 88

Ronald Phillip Pawl, age 88 of Lake Forest, Illinois, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on October 16, 2023. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Margaret Pawl, and survived by his devoted family. Ron and Mary were married in 1959 and started what was to become a large family they liked to refer to as “The Troops.”

Ron grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois with his parents Phillip and Ruby Pawl and sister Marcia Ries. He graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine and completed certification in Neurological Surgery.

One of Ron’s most outstanding and dedicated visions was pain management. He was a founding member of the Midwest Pain Society and Director of the Pain Treatment Center at Lake Forest Hospital. His specialty and passion was in neurological surgery, innovative physical medicine and rehabilitation. He has been named one of our country’s top neurosurgeons. For over 60 years he has achieved many high honors, awards, memberships, and certifications, including associations with numerous neurosurgery societies.

Ron was a dedicated Patriot, an accomplished author, and a highly recognized pillar of our community. He had an extraordinary enthusiasm for his hobbies such as gardening, photography, astrology, and archeology. Even with six kids and a very demanding career, he found the time to enjoy and teach his family and others about these extracurricular activities. He enjoyed and thought it was very important to read and learn about past historical events, our own family history, and current world events. He also taught himself how to play the ukulele, loved football (Go Bears!), and enjoyed a good cigar.

Ron loved Hawaii. Together, Ron and Mary have a spiritual connection with Kauai where they have always opened up their beautiful home to others; making all who visit feel like ‘Ohana. Ron was a remarkable example of spiritual strength in his Catholic faith and never wavered in his beliefs and devotion.

Family was very important to Ron. His children and grandchildren will forever have wonderful memories of all the holidays, birthdays, and other celebrations they shared with Ron and the whole family together. He was a marvelous storyteller with energetic humor and had such a positive outlook on life. Until reunited with him again, his quick wit and gregarious personality will be missed tremendously.

Funeral Service: Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045.

Interment: Saint Raphael Catholic Church, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: www.stjude.org

This obituary was provided by the Pawl family. The views expressed here are the author's own.