Ronnie Head established himself as a reliable and hard-working employee in 27 years as a press operator atthe Chicago Tribune’s Freedom Center printing plant, carrying on a work ethic he learned from his late father, who held two jobs for much of his life, relatives said.
“Ronnie seemed to fall right into that mold,” said his great-uncle, Wilbert.
Mr. Head, 54, died Monday, April 30, at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn of injuries he suffered in a three-car crash on the Bishop Ford Freeway, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was a resident of Dolton.
State police blamed the crash on a wrong-way driver and said alcohol appeared to be a factor.
Mr. Head grew up in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood and attended Francis Parker School before receiving an associate’s degree from Olive-Harvey College.
Mr. Head worked forChildren’s Memorial Hospitaland theU.S. Postal Servicebefore joining the Tribune’s manufacturing and distribution division.
As a press operator, he was skilled in all four major areas of production — folding, four-color printing, press control systems and reel room operation — said his crew supervisor, Jim Laudermith.
“He was a pleasure to work with,” said Laudermith, Mr. Head’s direct supervisor for 14 years. “You tell him once, and you knew it was done.”
Brian Karnick, vice president of operations for manufacturing and distribution at the Tribune, started at the paper around the same time as Mr. Head and said he couldn’t remember him ever missing a day of work.
He also maintained an upbeat and positive attitude, Karnick said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the guy not smiling in the 27 years I’ve known him,” he said.
Mr. Head’s uncle Frank remembered the day his nephew began working at the Tribune.
“He worked it like he owned it,” he said. “Trying to keep him from going to work, it was, like, impossible. He was dedicated to that job.”
Mr. Head’s mother, Ceretha, said her son never gave her problems despite the pull of gangs and other sources of trouble in their South Side neighborhood.
“If he figured you were right, he would stand up for you,” his mother said. “If he didn’t think you were right, he would step back. That’s the kind of person he was.”
In addition to his mother, Mr. Head is survived by his wife, Sergenet; a son, Brian; a daughter, Sergene’; two brothers, Maurice and Rayvon; and a sister, Yolanda Baggett.
Visitation will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, followed by 7 p.m. services, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church, 331 E. 71st St., Chicago.
