The family of Ronald Dean Less is saddened to announce his final ride on October 21, 2024 at the age of 76. Ron lived his life to the fullest even through his brave journey with cancer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Tammy; his siblings Doug (Linda) Less, Roger (JaNan) Less; daughter Kari Schroeder; grandchildren Emerson and August Schroeder; niece Rebekah Less; nephews Jason, Jeff, Michael, and Adam Less; mother-in-law Marie Brower; and brother-in-law Mark Brower.
Ron was born September 7, 1948 to Theodore and Wilma (Susemihl) Less in LeMars, Iowa. He grew up with his two younger brothers on the family farm outside of Hinton, Iowa. Ron enjoyed being outdoors, using the barn’s lightning rods for target practice, camping in the pasture by the creek, and tinkering on the family cars. He graduated from Hinton High School in 1966, lettering in basketball and track.
Ron earned a Civil Engineering degree from South Dakota State University in 1971. He went on to earn his professional engineering license in 1974. Ron served in the Iowa National Guard from 1971 to 1978.
Ron launched his transportation engineering career working for the Iowa Department of Transportation from 1971 to 1980 as a roadway design and materials engineer. During his engineering career, Ron was active with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, American Council of Engineering Companies, and Portland Cement Association. He shifted gears to pursue his passion for motorsports by starting Cyclone Sports, a retail business in Ames, Iowa selling motorcycles, snow skiing equipment, and ATVs from 1981 to 1989.
Ron returned to engineering as a project manager with Kirkham Michael Associates (KMA) Engineering in Des Moines from 1986 to 1998. He eventually took the helm as President of the corporate Omaha office where he also served on several community boards including the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America and the United Way of Omaha. Ron retired at age 56 in 2005.
Ron welcomed a daughter, Kari, with Suzanne (Sealey) Less. Kari and Ron enjoyed many adventures together, such as Colorado ski trips, camping, and month-long motorcycle/camping rides to Alaska in 2006 and 2022. Together, they completed two tours of approximately 10,000 miles, including a few hours of ‘bonus (we are lost) miles’. Ron instilled in Kari the fact that life goes by quickly and to pursue goals with passion.
Ron married Tammy Brower in 1990 in Des Moines, Iowa. Together they shared their passion for life and found joy for the open road, whether bicycling, motorcycling, or RV touring. They also loved SCCA Solo II racing their Miata, trap shooting, and most of all time with family and friends.
A true motorsport enthusiast, Ron participated in enduro and hare scramble motorcycle races around Iowa and the nation. Around 1980, he was one of the founding fathers of both the Iowa Enduro Riders Association and the Central Iowa Enduro Riders. He really enjoyed racing with his brother, Doug. Ron won numerous racing trophies. Ron’s crowning achievement came when he won the American Motorcycle Association’s National Enduro Masters 60+ A Class Championship in 2009, celebrating the victory with Tammy and Kari at the AMA National Awards banquet in Las Vegas. Most important in Ron’s racing career was the shared comradery of fellow riders, being outdoors, sharing good stories, and laughs.
Shortly after winning the National Enduro Series, Ron faced a challenging turn when he was diagnosed with a rare lung cancer, despite never smoking. In spite of having a lung removed in 2011, he still continued to enjoy motorcycling, dual sport riding with his brother Roger, Jim Spencer, and others; while continuing to mentor his longtime protege, Tim Anderson. Ron had such gratitude for all of the lifetime friendships that he made through motorcycles.
Upon retirement, Ron and Tammy found their bliss on Lake Okoboji, hosting family and friends for lakeside gatherings and boating escapades. This included concerts on the green space, chauffeuring nephews to the Barefoot Bar, and forming teams for a Less Family Triathlon Challenge. Good friend, Gary Gould, officially earned his title as a bonus family member by carrying the bicycle leg of the triathlon and many other adventures with Ron. While in Iowa, Ron and his family enjoyed bicycling RAGBRAI (bike ride across Iowa) for a sweaty, hot week of saddle time followed by refreshing beverages and cherry pie.
In 2018, they shifted their sights to the Black Hills of South Dakota, where they reveled in the local trails, arid climate, and continued to bring family together. However, Ron was sure to avoid the influx of chrome during Sturgis Bike Week.
Ron and Tammy frequently headed south in their RV during the winter months. They spent a fair amount of time in “the box” at Lake Havasu amongst other balmy locations in the south. Together with their miniature Greyhound, Coco, and later their Golden Retriever, Sammi; they explored new places on bicycles and motorcycles as snowbirds.
In 2012 and 2014, Ron welcomed his two spirited, red-headed grandchildren, Emerson and August Schroeder. Together with Grandpa, the kids helped Grandma Tammy catch her first fish in Spanish Wells, Bahamas. He enjoyed riding motorcycles with Emerson, very intense Nerf gun battles with August, and teaching them both to gamble. Per his competitive spirit, you can surely guess who won.
A memorial service for Ron will be held at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa on Friday, November 1st at 10:30 am. A luncheon at the C.G. Therkildsen Activity Center will follow, where family and friends can share their favorite stories and celebrate a life well-lived on and off the trail.
