Ronald D. Pforts, 69, of Burlington, died Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the New London Care Center in New London after fighting a courageous battle of leukemia/lymphoma since 2010.
Born on Aug. 25, 1955, in Burlington, he was the son of Henry and Dorothy Liechty Pforts.
Ronald was a 1973 graduate of Washington High School in Washington, Iowa, and attended Andrew’s University. He served in the United States Air Force from 1975 to 1979 and worked as an Avionics technician for the A-7D fighter jet. He started trucking in 1979 for his father and different companies. In 1997 he owned and operated his own trucking company, hauling for Aldi until 2018. Ron then worked for Bauer Built Tire until his retirement in April of 2025. He was a past member of the Burlington Eagles Club and was of the Presbyterian faith. Ronald enjoyed horses, golfing, karaoke and loved to sing and play his guitar. He was a jack of all trades, excelling in welding and leather work. Ronald was a very dependable, patient and kind man.
He is survived by his life partner of 15 years Lisa A. Kalkbrenner of West Burlington; son Jeff Pforts of Burlington; daughter Allyssa (Michael) Gill of Canton, Georgia; grandsons: Henry Pforts of West Point, Iowa and Liam and Gabriel Gill both of Canton, Georgia; siblings: Mary Ann (Steve) Sieren of Keota and Franklin (Laura) Pforts of Clearfield, Utah. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and extended family. He is additionally survived by is his dog, Luna.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The memorial service for Ronald will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Lunning Chapel with Pastor JudyAnn Morse officiating. Inurnment will be at Aspen Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his memory for P.A.W. Animal Shelter in Fort Madison.