64 | DECEMBER 12 • 2019
Milton Ring:
An Unassuming Hero
RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
M
Milton “Milt” H.
Ring was a brave yet
humble war hero, a
savvy entrepreneur, an imag-
inative inventor, a generous
philanthropist, a nature lover
and, above all, a devot-
ed family man. This
exceptional 94-year-
old died Dec. 3, 2019,
in his Franklin home,
with his loving family
by his side.
The youngest of four
children, Milt grew
up in Detroit during
the Depression. At age
10, he began helping in the
family roofing business. After
graduating from Central High
School, he was immediately
drafted. Although he qualified
to be an army clerk, he volun-
teered for combat and was sent
overseas, becoming the young-
est soldier to obtain the rank
of first sergeant. In 1945, he
received the prestigious Bronze
Star Medal for bravely deliver-
ing supplies and messages to
soldiers on the front lines.
A talented singer and danc-
er, Milt pursued his longtime
dream of becoming an actor
at the Chicago School of
Expression and Dramatic Arts.
But soon his strong sense of
family responsibility surpassed
his personal desires as he
became increasingly worried
about his father’
s safety as a
roofer. Milt returned home,
became certified in heating
and air conditioning, and
founded Ring Bros. Heating
and Cooling with his father
and uncle.
While he did not become an
actor, Milt found the leading
lady of his dreams when he
met Eunice. On their third
date, Milt proposed, and
the two were married a few
months later. For 63 years, they
shared an incredible
love and mutual
respect, serving as
a model for their
three daughters and,
later, their 11 grand-
children.
Always looking
for new opportuni-
ties to reinvent him-
self, Milt conceived
and created a thriving real
estate enterprise.
He never forgot his humble
beginnings and was generous
with his money and his heart,
gladly mentoring those who
wanted to better their lives. He
and Eunice were involved in
many philanthropic causes.
“Tikkun olam (repairing the
world) was in his DNA,
” said
his daughter Liz.
One of Milt’
s best-kept
secrets was his impressive
prowess as an inventor.
Lovingly referring to him as
a “mad scientist,
” his daugh-
ter Marianne remembers the
gas-powered motor he built to
help him keep up with the girls
on neighborhood bike rides.
“He had an insatiable curi-
osity; he taught us how to use
our imaginations and be inven-
tive,
” Marianne said.
Milt was an accomplished
golfer, winning championships
in his age group and in tourna-
ments with younger people. At
65, he proudly celebrated his
bar mitzvah. He was an impec-
Milton Ring
Soul
of blessed memory
NO JEW IS EVER ALONE
the whole world
loved robbie
He touched
our hearts &
Our souls
we will always remember
ROBBIE FELDSTEIN
Z’
L
August 31, 1947 — December 2, 2019
The JHCN Family