Ronald S. Luskin

Ronald S. Luskin

April 28, 1953 – December 22, 2025

Ronald S. Luskin of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness on December 22, 2025, with his best friend and life partner of 47 years, Terry Ruzicka, at his side.

Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Irving and Beverly (Kalb) Luskin, Ron was the younger brother to Robert Luskin. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother.

He is survived by his wife Terry Ruzicka; nephew Scott and his wife Rebecca (Cohen) Luskin and their children Emma, Eve, and Aaron of Redondo Beach, CA; niece Alexis (Luskin) and her husband Michael Friedman and their children Haley and Hannah of Northbrook, IL; sisters-in-law Rae Olin Luskin and Lynne Lava Luskin, both of Deerfield, IL; Ruzicka family members across the country and Canada; and many dear friends.

Ron crafted a life defined by values and exemplary service. As a teenager at Tremper High School in Kenosha, he was active in the leadership program of the regional B'nai B'rith Youth organization. During the Vietnam War, guided by his conviction in non-violence and opposition to unjust wars, he pursued and achieved Conscientious Objector status. Ron possessed moral clarity from a young age.

After earning a BA in History and an MA in Public Affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ron built a 35-year career that spanned advertising, marketing, business development, and philanthropy. He served as a partner in the Milwaukee advertising firm of Fuller, Thiede and Luskin; led business development and strategic marketing initiatives at architecture and engineering firms in Milwaukee and Madison; and devoted himself to philanthropic work in healthcare and higher education organizations.

But it was his "post-corporate" life of service that Ron found most meaningful. He dedicated these years to social justice work and community activism, developing and coordinating conferences and programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, social justice, and cultural competency for healthcare providers. His years of experience and desire to make a difference became vehicles for his commitments.

Ron's engagement with Madison's civic life was far-reaching and intentional. He actively served and supported the Urban League of Greater Madison, Downtown Madison Inc., the Rotary Club, Overture Center for the Arts, the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness, The Beacon, Porchlight Inc., Jewish Social Services, Boys and Girls Club, UnityPoint Health-Meriter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Journey Mental Health, and United Way of Dane County. He was deeply passionate about organizations serving marginalized, unhoused, and underserved communities.

With Terry, Ron established need-based scholarships for undergraduates at UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee, ensuring that others would have opportunities to learn and grow as he had.

Those who knew Ron recognized him as a natural connector, someone who built relationships with genuine care and enthusiasm. His gifts for conversation reflected his curiosity and his deep desire to connect—all of which grew from Ron’s humanity, his compassion for all and his belief in community.

Ron loved the arts, travel and exploration, UW sports (especially Women's Volleyball), The Harvey House, and lifelong learning. His passions were varied, but they shared a common thread: a joyful appreciation for human creativity, resilience, and potential.

Ron’s values and qualities—courage, curiosity, determination, compassion, integrity, authenticity, equity, generosity—shaped his choices, his work, and his relationships. They guided him through decades on improving the lives of others.

Memorials may be directed to the Urban League of Greater Madison, The Beacon-Catholic Charities, Foundation for Black Women's Wellness, or The Great People Scholarship at UW-Madison.

Special and heartfelt thanks to Agrace in-home hospice caregivers and the friends who contributed to telling Ron's story.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434