Ronald Block Obituary

Dr. Ronald E. Block Maimi, FL - Miami, Florida - Dr. Ronald E . Block, 79, professor, researcher, and beloved father, passed away on March 26, 2021, at his home in Miami, FL. Ron was born on April 29, 1941, to Frederick J. Block, Jr. and Thelma Cordes Block in Charleston, SC. He graduated from Chicora High in 1959, where he played basketball and drove the bus for the band. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry from the College of Charleston in 1963. After marrying fellow Chicora graduate, the late Patricia (Rose) Block, he earned his Ph.D. at Clemson University in 1969. A postdoctoral fellowship, and the prospect of spending more time with his brother, Fred, brought Ron to Florida, where he launched a prolific career as scientist, professor, and mentor. Ron had a persistent intellectual curiosity. He studied biochemical and biological applications of magnetic resonance to a wide range of topics like cancer, Parkinson's, and dementia. He served as Senior Scientist at Papanicolau Cancer Research Institute, took a sabbatical at the Environmental Protection Agency, and worked as Research Scientist at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. Ron won grants from the NIH to support his research and was elected Chair of the South Florida section of the American Chemical Society in 1999. He was highly regarded among his colleagues and published numerous scientific papers, earning a patent for a contrast agent with applications in medical biochemistry. Ron taught chemistry and biochemistry across the state, at University of Florida, University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, Barry University, and other institutions. He joined Nova Southeastern University in 1993 and became Chair of the Biochemistry Department in 1999, where he served until his passing. Ron held high standards for academic rigor and kindness in the classroom, and strongly believed the student body should reflect the diversity of the state. Over his life, Ron taught dozens of courses and thousands of students. Deeply engaged, Ron was a gentle, lifelong learner who enjoyed friendly intellectual talk, travel, live music, the fellowship of his church community, and above all spending quality time with his daughters, grandchildren, and other family. He will be sorely missed by his daughters Alison (Ernesto) Martinez and Kristin (Rome Hamner) Block; sister-in-law, Marina Block, Jeri Hurt; grandchildren, Juliette and Alessandro; and loving nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Ron will be laid to rest at Carolina Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Saturday, April 17. Due to COVID- 19, there will be no gathering at this time, however services will follow in Florida and South Carolina once it is safe to gather. ln lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the College of Charleston Department of Chemistry or the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston