UKRO mourns the loss of our dear friend and former board member and Chief Financial Officer, Ronald Taubman, who passed away on September 10, 2019 at the age of 74. Ron was a kind, courageous, special man with a generous heart. He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age and overcame many physical setbacks throughout his life with positivity and fierce determination. A three-time kidney transplant recipient, he was a tireless advocate for organ donation awareness and helped many grateful individuals navigate the complex transplantation process. Like so many others who came into contact with Ron, we will never forget all he did for us. He was a dedicated supporter of UKRO, sharing his time, talents, resources, great ideas, and endless enthusiasm. His passion for finding a cure for kidney disease was Ron’s way of helping men, women, and children in need, including his own daughter, who developed Type 1 diabetes when she was 16.
Ron was a long-time member of Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) Ventura County West Valley Chapter and served as a board member and chapter president. He was elected to the international board of directors of TRIO, Inc., as a member at large and was later elected vice president, member of the executive committee, and chairman of the Development (Fundraising) Committee of TRIO, Inc. His responsibilities encompassed all TRIO chapters in the United States, Italy, Japan, and Australia.
Ron was involved with many nonprofit organizations over the years, serving as a committee member for the Southern California Renal Disease Council (ESRD Network 18); a Donate Life Ambassador for OneLegacy (the Southern California organ procurement organization); a peer counselor at dialysis centers in Los Angeles for the National Institute of Transplantation; and Region 5 Representative of the OPTN/UNOS Pancreas Committee from July. He volunteered on many of the development committees of these nonprofits, applying for financial support from both governmental and private sources.
Ron was a truly remarkable human being and we will miss him very much. We extend our deepest condolences to his loving wife of 50 years, Arden, their two daughters, Stephanie and Jennifer, their beloved grandchildren, and all who knew and loved him.