Ronald Lloyd Schleede

Ronald Lloyd Schleede, born on January 2, 1943 in Buffalo, NY and raised in Akron, OH, passed away on February 7, 2025 at 82 years old.

Ronald, known to many as "Ron" proudly served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, where he piloted the F-100 Super Sabre at Cannon Air Force Base in NM, Wheelus Air Base in Libya, and Craig Air Force Base in Selma, AL. Following his military service, he dedicated over 28 years to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as an Aircraft Accident Investigator, earning international recognition for his contributions to Aviation Safety. 

He was Chief of Major Aviation Investigations from 1985 until 1995, and was Deputy Director of the Office of Aviation Safety, when he retired in 2000. Notably, he was the only person to have led major investigation programs for both the United States and Canada, having served as the Director of Investigations for Air at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada as part of an exchange program. After retirement from the NTSB, Ron worked as a consultant for several clients, including The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), government agencies around the world, airlines, and law firms. 

Ron's passion for aviation and commitment to safety left an indelible mark on the field. In 1988 he testified before Congress during a hearing on the safety of commuter airlines. Ron led “ice-breaking” delegations to China and the Soviet Union in the late 1980s on behalf of the NTSB and the U.S government. In 1990, Ron received the Soviet Union’s Yuri Gagarin medal for expanding air safety cooperation, one of two individuals outside of the former Soviet Union to have received this significant award. Ron served as Vice President of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) for 14 years and was awarded the Jerry F. Lederer Award for outstanding lifetime contributions in the field of airplane accident investigations and prevention. In 2009, he was designated an ISASI fellow. Ron is often recognized as a featured NTSB Investigator on TV documentaries such as "Air Crash Investigation Special Report," "Seconds from Disaster," and Smithsonian Channel’s “Every Plane Crash from Air Disasters.”

Preceded in death by his beloved wife Kathleen Schleede, his parents, Lloyd and Freda Schleede, and his brother, Tom Schleede.

Ron leaves behind his brother, Terry (Susan) Schleede of Laguna Niguel, CA; his daughters, Emma (Wallace) Blankenbaker of McLean, VA, and Amy (Jeff) Marchiando of Fairfax, VA; as well as his brother-in-law and fraternity brother, James (Erika) Cotterman of Springfield, VA. Above all, the pride and joy of his life were his four grandchildren: Trevor and Jody Marchiando, and Duncan and Fisher Blankenbaker - who knew him as "Papa" and will forever cherish his love and wisdom. He also leaves behind many close cousins and dear friends who will no doubt be swapping Ron stories for years to come.

As a freshman in college, he walked onto the University of Akron Zips football team and earned a scholarship. He beamed with pride when he ripped up his first college tuition check and handed it back to his father. An injury cut his football career short, but as fate would have it, while sidelined, he met his future wife, Kathie, at a fraternity-sorority mixer. This led to 43 years together filled with love and adventure. Ron’s career took them to many places, with homes in Ohio, New Mexico, Libya, West Virginia, Alabama, Maryland, Colorado, and finally Virginia. Together, they explored six continents. 

Ron was a storyteller at heart, and everyone who knew him loved to listen. Whether recounting an aviation investigation, travel adventures, sharing memories of his time on the farm, or spinning fishing tales around a campfire, he had a way of drawing people in.

He had an adventurous spirit and loved traveling far and wide, and connecting with people from all cultures, but his happiest place was always Kamp KarMil—his fishing cottage in Delta, Ontario, Canada—where he shared countless cherished moments with family and friends. He loved volunteering as a docent where he gave tours at the historic Old Stone Mill across the street from his cottage. 

A Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held on March 27 at 11 AM at Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA.

If you wish to make a memorial contribution, please consider donating to one of his favorite causes:

• International Society of Air Safety Investigators Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship
• Wounded Warrior Project 
• The Delta Mill Society