Ronald Joseph “Ron” Mikulak, educator, journalist and accomplished chef, died Jan. 10, 2023, at his Louisville home. He was 75.
The news of Ron’s passing Tuesday came to us on Friday afternoon, and a memorial service was held yesterday at Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville.
His brother Rob offered a heartfelt eulogy at Facebook.
Dear friends of Ron: It’s my profoundly sad duty to announce the death of my brother, Ron, my only sibling. Ron was equal parts my hero, mentor, guide, inspiration, chief critic, nemesis and a big pain in the ass. He was also my oldest, best and most loyal friend. We were different people with different tastes and styles but we were always loyal to each other and tolerated – often thrived – on our differences. In fact, I think our differences brought us closer together both in youth and old age. But we also shared numerous interests, concerns, likes/dislikes, joys and tragedies. Above all, we enjoyed being brothers, and I’ll cherish all the qualities and memories of our relationship. Rest in peace, Dear Brother.
Ron’s second career as writer and journalist at the Louisville Courier Journal came to an end in 2013, and in a final column he said goodbye. Typically, he began by recognizing the accompishments of others.
As the first man to be a regular on the C-J food pages, I felt honored to follow in the footsteps of much beloved and respected women such as Cissy Gregg, Lillian Marshall, Elaine Corn and Camille Glenn.
Ron explained how he first considered free lance food writing while still employed as an English teacher at St. Francis High School, then landed a position at the CJ as assistant to Sarah Fritschner, the newspaper’s longtime food editor.
Sarah would cook up a storm, testing recipes for her forthcoming food features, and several weeks of her “Fast Lane” column, and I would frantically try to keep the pots scrubbed, prep bowls cleaned and dried, and the counter in an approximation of order — my job description included keeping the kitchen clean and organized — while I cooked for the “Cook’s Corner” column, the purview of the assistant editor (and scullery minion).
When Fritschner departed the CJ and her replacement also left after only a year, Ron had a new job. You wouldn’t have known this authoritative foodie source was a self-made kitchen maestro.
I am a self-taught cook,...Read more
