Ronald J. Venhorst

February 16, 2017

Ronald J. Venhorst, Ph.D., 70, died peacefully at his home in West Hartford on February 16, 2017. Born on March 26, 1946, in Arnhem, the Netherlands, Ron emigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 4, settling in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, where he grew up. Ron attended Leicester Junior College, Adelphi University, and Jersey State College, and worked as a school psychologist in Elizabeth, New Jersey for most of his professional life. Later in his career, Ron earned Ph.D. in psychology at Hofstra University-an accomplishment of which he was very proud. He also served as an adjunct instructor on the faculty of Kean University in New Jersey where he taught courses in psychology. Before moving to West Hartford in 2013, Ron lived first in Ridgefield and later in Westfield, New Jersey. Ron loved travel, books, the arts, and good food. From his home in New Jersey, he made frequent trips to New York City where he visited museums, attended concerts and off-Broadway shows, and enjoyed countless meals at area bars and restaurants. With his wife Annette, he traveled frequently to Europe and enjoyed many memorable family vacations, including a 2002 trip to the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, in which Ron and Annette-along with their two dogs, Casey and Ching-traveled by motor home to see their son, Matt, and their future daughter-in-law, Kendra. Most of all, Ron cherished his wife and son, always doing anything and everything he could to be with them and know that they were what truly mattered to him in life. A loving father and grandfather, Ron will be forever missed by his wife Annette, his son, Matt, his daughter-in-law, Kendra, and his two grandsons, James and Colin. Visitation will be Monday, February 20, 2017, from 11a.m - noon at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, followed by a memorial service at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McLean Hospice, 75 Great Pond Rd., Simsbury, CT 06070.