Stalwart PIA Leader Ron Von Haden Dies

Ron Von Haden, who for over four decades was a respected leader of PIA at both the state and national levels, has passed away.
“Occasionally, there’s somebody who has played such a critical role in the long history of an organization—and done it so effectively—that there will never be another like them. That’s Ron,” said PIA National President Dennis Kuhnke of Milwaukee, Wisconsin when Von Haden was awarded a special commendation on the occasion of his retirement in 2019. Ron had continued working as a special consultant to PIA National and PIA of Wisconsin.
Ron Von Haden attended his first PIA meeting in 1975. He was a Young Insurance Professional. Ron was elected to the Wisconsin Board of Directors in 1976, serving two three-year terms, then continuing to serve on committees. He received the Wisconsin Agent of The Year award and the Committee Chairman award during that time.
Later, he served eight years as the PIA National Director from Wisconsin during which time he chaired several committees, served one term as National Secretary and two terms as a National Vice President. In 1994, Ron was recruited to be Executive Vice President of PIA of Wisconsin. Under his leadership and with the hard work of many volunteers and a loyal staff, Ron helped build PIA of Wisconsin into one of the most successful PIA affiliates in the nation.
Duty called in 2012 when Ron served for a year during an executive transition at PIA National as National Executive Vice President.
“For more than four decades, Ron lived, breathed and bled PIA,’” said PIA National Executive Vice President & CEO Mike Becker. “Even in retirement, Ron continued to provide indispensable advice and counsel and was hard at work on key projects for PIA National up to his untimely passing. Ron had the utmost respect from everyone in our Association and in our whole industry.”
“When you look around now—and see PIA achieving greater things—know that Ron played a big part in PIA’s success,” Becker said. “Our best tribute to Ron as both a friend and colleague is to carry forward his lifelong, steadfast commitment to helping others, being a shoulder to lean on, and providing support to our independent agent members.”
Ron will be laid to rest in his hometown of Boscobel, Wisconsin on Thursday, March 12.
To learn more about Ron’s life, service to his country, service to his community, funeral arrangements and more, read his obituary HERE.