On August 30, 2017, Ronald L. Ward Jr, 96, passed peacefully with his family by his side. He was the loving husband for 62 years of the late Jean B. Ward, father to Ronald L. Ward III and his wife, Susie Ward, and to Susan B. Ward and her husband, Frank Cullen, and grandfather to Matthew Ward and Kyle Cullen.

He was well known in the sailing/racing world and held many awards for his contribution to the administration of the sport. He was Past Commodore of the Annapolis Yacht Club, Potapskut Sailing Assoc., Pasadena Sailing Assoc., and President of Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Assoc. as well as Chairman of the U.S. Sailing Association's Judges Committee.

As an International Judge and Umpire, he officiated in major sailing events worldwide including four America's Cup Race Committees, and longtime chairman of the Annapolis Yacht Club race committee. He contributed to the Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) helping to bring the freedom of sailing to persons with disabilities, recovering warriors and youth in at-risk communities.

While being known for his sailing accomplishments, his greater contributions were as a research engineer for the U.S. Navy as an expert on sub propulsion system seals, retiring in 1977 as a department head at the Navy Ship R&D Center in Annapolis.

His Navy civilian career was interrupted during WWII, where he served for 2 ½ years, and participated in the Normandy Invasion. Prior to his Navy service, he worked for the B&O Railroad and Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Co.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 11:00 am at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, in Severna Park. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Foundation in memory of Ronald L. Ward Jr, class of 1937 or CRAB.

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com