At 82-years old, Ron Kroeger is living proof that age is just a number. His life is a rich tapestry of experiences, and even in retirement, he's more active than ever. From reading to children to organizing community bands, Ron has found ways to keep himself engaged while giving back to the community in meaningful ways.

Born in Ohio and having spent his life growing up and living in multiple states, including California and Wisconsin, Ron's journey reflects a theme of constant movement, learning, and growth. But it's his love for reading and music that has become the focal point of his later years. After a long career in IT, working for the federal government, Ron retired in 2005. However, retirement for Ron didn’t mean slowing down; it meant shifting gears into roles that brought him even closer to the people around him.

Ron’s passion for music has been a lifelong affair. His first instrument was the tenor sax, but over the years, he’s added the alto sax, clarinet, and even the soprano sax to his repertoire. “I like to say I'm a sax player who can play the clarinet,” Ron jokes. After moving back to Illinois from Wisconsin, where he had been involved in various bands, Ron knew exactly what he wanted to do. "I looked for two things: a band to play in and a school to read in," he recalls with a laugh. When he couldn’t find a community band in Byron, he didn’t just sit back—he started one.

With a lot of help from other community members, Ron’s concert band grew to around 40 members before the pandemic. Now, he’s rebuilding it, and they have two concerts scheduled for the fall—a regular performance and a holiday concert. "It’s all about creating opportunities for people to come together," Ron says. “We’ve got a new director, so we’re making adjustments, but the community loves it.”

But Ron’s contributions go far beyond music. His love for reading, especially to young children, is where he truly shines. It all started when his wife’s niece, a teacher on the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation in Wisconsin, needed some help. Ron offered to read to her students, and soon word spread to other classrooms. By the time he left the area, he was reading to 15 different classes. After moving to Byron, he immediately sought out opportunities to continue this passion.

Now known as "Mister K" to the children, Ron reads to 18 different classes each week at Byron schools. "When I walk down the hall, the kids are looking, whispering, 'Mister K's here!'" Ron beams. He engages with both younger and older students, reading picture books to the little ones and chapter books to the older students. But there’s a twist: instead of showing the pictures right away, Ron makes the children use their imaginations. "I tell them the pictures are in their heads," he says, reinforcing the power of creativity and visualization.

This method keeps the children engaged and eager for more. “If I forget to show a picture, they’re on me right away,” Ron laughs. “But that’s part of the fun—they’re fully involved in the story.”

Ron’s impact on the Byron community is immeasurable. From inspiring the next generation of readers to creating spaces where people of all ages can enjoy music, Ron is more than just a retiree—he’s a community cornerstone. “I hope I’m doing something for the kids, but honestly, I get so much out of it myself,” he admits. His humble nature shines through when he talks about his interactions with the children. “They call me Mister K in the grocery store, in restaurants—it’s funny, but it’s also heartwarming.”

And though Ron’s life has taken him from Ohio to California, from working in IT to becoming a sax-playing, book-reading local celebrity to the community’s children, his energy and enthusiasm haven’t waned. “I’m going to keep doing this until I can’t,” he declares with the kind of determination that’s kept him going all these years.

Ron Kroeger’s life is a testament to the power of staying engaged, being active, and giving back to others. Whether it’s reading to a classroom full of eager children or playing saxophone in the concert band, Ron is always looking for ways to contribute. “I always say, if you want something to happen, sometimes you just have to look in the mirror and realize it’s up to you,” he says, summing up his life philosophy.

For the Byron community, having someone like Ron is nothing short of a blessing. His infectious enthusiasm and his commitment to education and the arts are inspiring to everyone who crosses his path. As he continues to inspire young minds and fill the air with music, one thing is clear: Byron is all the better for having Mister K in their midst.