Ronald Marvin Reichelt

Ronald Marvin Reichelt, 71, of Great Falls, MT passed away on March 16, 2022. Ron was born on November 8, 1950, to Maurice and Mary Reichelt. Being the youngest, he looked up to his brother Cliff, which led to 35 years of sharing a 100 sq. ft office. Ron attended St. Gerards in 1956 and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1969. During high school, Ron developed into an elite baseball player for the Great Falls Electrics. He went on to play college baseball at Montana State University in 1969-1970. During his time in Bozeman, he contributed to his fair share of shenanigans. He even attempted to raise a coyote pup. Over summer break, he was employed at the Anaconda Company. During his college years Ron learned how to play hard and work hard. He went on to graduate with an accounting degree. Upon graduation in 1973, Ron began his professional career and became a successful businessman. He believed that “nothin’ in life is free” and applied this to his career. Ron built his dream home in 1978. Although Ron was a wild spirit, nothing tamed him like his only son, Nicholas John. Ron was instantly a devoted father. He continued to play competitive slow pitch softball. As Nick grew up, Ron realized he had a partner in athletics. He coached baseball and martial arts throughout Nick’s childhood and adolescence. Ron loved coaching baseball just as much as he loved playing it. He always rooted for an underdog and mentored many young athletes along the way. He established the Black Sox baseball organization in 2003 and created an additional high school competitive baseball option in Great Falls. In 1998 Ron met his partner, Alanna Hiett. They shared fur babies and companionship until his passing. Their favorite times together were the parties they threw for the “gym rats.” Ron was passionate about hunting. He worked out diligently at the gym to remain in softball and hunting shape. After 36 years of putting in the lottery to hunt a bighorn sheep, his dream came true in 2015. He won the lottery and had the opportunity to hunt a ram. With the support of friends and professionals he shot a record 185 ram. He published an article in Wild Sheep Magazine. Two years later another dream was realized when he shot a 273 elk in Canada. When not thinking about hunting, Ron prepared for the Huntsman World Series Senior softball games. He enjoyed traveling with baseball friends from not only Great Falls but around the country. He competed in these games from 1998 to 2018. Ron is survived in death by his son, Nick (Annie) and their children Mason, Gavin, and Regan; Alanna Hiett and her son Paul; brother, Cliff (Elizabeth); and nieces and nephews, Maurice Reichelt, Marti (Luke) Olson, Mandi (Aaron) Mercier. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Maurice Reichelt. A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2022.