B-K Lighting+TEKA Illumination has lost an exemplary leader and visionary in the lighting industry, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Ron have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Ron leaves behind a powerful legacy deeply ingrained in the culture and purpose of our industry. His spirit will forever be a vast part of the foundation of B-K Lighting+TEKA Illumination.
His greatest love was for his wife, Danielle, and his two children, Christian and Kai. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.
No words can adequately express our sadness at Ron’s passing or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.
Contributions to the Christian & Kai Naus Benefit Fund can made out to:
Christian & Kai Naus Benefit Fund
Sent to:
B-K Lighting
C/O Dionna Smith (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
)
40429 Brickyard Drive
Madera, CA 93657
The Ron Naus Memorial Endowment
Company Founder Douglas W. Hagen of B-K Lighting + TEKA Illumination, announced the establishment of the Ron Naus Memorial Endowment of $100,000 at the IALD Educational Trust Benefit dinner on Wednesday, June 4, 2014.
Hagen attended the IALD fundraiser on behalf of the sudden passing of Ron Naus, President of B-K Lighting + TEKA Illumination and the IALD Educational Trust supported by his entire management team.
"I have lost a good friend and business partner. It has been said, to be successful you must surround yourself with people smarter than you. And that was definitely the case with Ron." said Douglas Hagen. "Through this endowment may we honor Ron's professional accomplishments and further promote his indelible legacy in our industry today and decades to come."
Barbara Horton, FIALD and President of the IALD adds, "We will all sadly miss Ron's great wit, innovative thinking and passion for his work. In his short tenure as [IALD] Trust president, Ron inspired his board in their fiduciary role to support lighting education by promoting the notion of 'doing good even better. In his honor, the IALD will continue to build on his momentum and fulfill his wish to build a sustainable endowment for the IALD Education Trust."
To make contributions to the Ron Naus Memorial Endowment for the IALD Educational Trust contact the IALD Trust directly. You may download the IALD authorization form at http://iald.me/ronnaus.
Remembering Ron
"Ron and I were once talking to a very important lighting designer client of mine, who did not want to use B-K on his project because he didn’t like the way B-K had designed a certain detail on the fixture. Ron, in his usual droll and impish way, proceeded to give them what was one of the most detailed and sophisticated explanations of why B-K’s design was not only the best, but only way to do it that I’d ever heard. The designer was speechless for a moment, and finally said “well, that does explain it.” Needless to say he specified B-K for the project."
"So very sad about Ron's passing. Although I had not seen him in many years, meeting him during my tenure at BEGA was such a memorable pleasure. Much too soon."
"I was shocked and saddened to hear of Ron’s sudden passing and my thoughts and condolences are with the Naus and B-K families. I had known Ron for more than a few years now and he will be sadly missed."
"Our deepest condolences to Ron's Family and Colleagues. His wit and charm will be forever missed. I feel blessed to have known Ron for so many years, he has left a profound impact on all who knew him. Rest in Peace my friend."
"Ron was one of the greatest salesmen I'd ever met in my life...because he was real, and true to life. He created an instant rapport by just being "Ron." What a great guy. He will definitely be missed."
"I could not believe it when I heard the news about Ron. I know the whole B-K family is devastated by his loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the families at B-K during this time. There was a large void at LightFair without the B-K presence. I just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of everyone at B-K."
"I just wanted to let you know I’ve been thinking of you all this week and so sorry for your loss. It’s come as a terrible shock for the entire lighting community and Ron will be very missed."
"The lighting industry and all who knew him lost a remarkable human being. We will forever remember Ron for the lives he has touched. Rest in peace my friend."
"Ron encouraged all of us to keep thinking forward about landscape lighting and it's future. Without him in our industry & our lives, a huge hole has disrupted our continuity and it cannot be filled. My deep sympathy goes out to the Naus family. We loved him much."
"I am so sorry to hear about Ron, my deepest sympathy to you and the whole B-K family (as well as his wife and kids)."
"We are so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. This is such a surprise to all of us. He definitely leaves a legacy behind. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers."
"I am profoundly shocked and saddened to read of Ron’s passing. He was amazingly kind and talented and will be greatly missed. With LightFair upon us, I know this will be a very trying time for you and your whole organization. Please know that our hearts are with you and his family during this time."
"I am saddened beyond belief by this news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you..."
"Please accept my condolences and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, the B-K Lighting family, and Ron’s family. Please extend my well wishes to all."
"I am sincerely sorry to hear about the recent loss at B-K Lighting, my condolences to the family and company alike."
"He had such great passion and wit. We will all miss him."
"I am saddened by the news of Ron’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go to everyone at B-K/TEKA and to his family."
"Please forward my sincere condolences both to the B-K family and Ron’s immediate family. He will be sorely missed."
"He was so good and such a leader. He had a larger than life personality. He will truly be missed. He and his family will be in my prayers."
"Ron was one of a small handful of guys who was so supportive of our efforts on Architectural SSL when we launched the magazine 7 years ago and always visited us at both LightFair and AIA. Back then, everyone thought we were nuts to start a publication on solid-state lighting with LEDs not ready for wide market acceptance, but Ron was not only supportive…I would say that his contribution to the direction of the editorial was vital to our success, then and now."
"I wanted to email our deepest condolences to all of you at B-K and to Ron's family. It was a shock to see of his passing. I had the pleasure of meeting Ron a few times and found him to be a very nice person. I know he will be missed by all."
"This spring was my first BKU and Ron was THE man there. His charisma led the show. My last time with him was taking his money at the poker table. I'm shocked to hear of his passing and wish sympathy and peace for his family."
"The entire staff of Repco II is saddened at the untimely loss of Ron. He will be remembered for his knowledge of lighting, his passion for our industry and his great sense of humor. Our condolences to his family and the entire B-K staff."
"Ron was a great guy, always helpful and ever so nice… this is truly sad that we have lost such a personable and intelligent man. Peace to you Ron as I’m sure God needed you sooner than later. Sympathy to all your family members but I’m sure as you were strong they are as well."
"Ron was a leader, visionary, husband and father and friend. R.I.P. Ron you will be deeply missed."
"I was stunned to hear of Ron's passing while traveling to LightFair and heartbroken to see his remembrance in place of the B-K booth. Our firm's decades-old relationship with your great company carries with it many wonderful memories, and our deepest sympathy goes out to the B-K team and Ron's family...we will sorely miss this "giant" of a man."
"Luis and I are beyond saddened by Ron's death. We were at the B-K University session when he was made President. He was always so full of life and had a real warmth when meeting people. We will miss him."
"I am broken hearted to hear of the loss of our friend. I am forever grateful for his friendship, kindness, and guidance over the past several year’s and most importantly the lunch he and I had just last Friday. I don’t know what else to say other than my family and our prayer group will pray for all of you and of course Ron’s family."
"I am so very sorry for your loss. My thought are with you and the B-K team."
"Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with Ron's family and everyone at B-K and TEKA Illumination."
"I just wanted to add my personal consolations. At IALD, we are all devastated to hear of Ron's passing. I will miss our witty banter and collaborative relationship a great deal, and the industry will miss a great champion, leader and change-maker. My thoughts are of comfort for all of you at B-K, and also for his beautiful family. May we all find strength in our fond memories of a wonderful friend."
"Please pass on my deepest condolences to his family. I had just recently caught up with Ron on the phone, as always it was great to talk to him. I regularly reflect on how much I appreciate Ron’s input, friendship and mentoring the past 8+ years."
"Ron was a great, wonderful man and he will be missed!!"
"We are deeply saddened by the news of the untimely passing of your president, icon in the lighting industry and friend, Ron Naus. We extend our sincerest condolences to you and the Naus family. Over the years, Ron has provided a powerful voice and has been a key contributor to the evolution of LIGHTFAIR and the lighting industry. Ron was a wonderful person with compassion and passion for everything and everyone that he was involved with and always left an indelible impression. Ron will be deeply missed."
"I think Ron would have said great things about the person and then figured out the perfect sarcastic remark to get everyone to laugh and feel better. I can't imagine what you are going through right now and am so sorry."
"I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Ron. I was really fond of him and loved and truly appreciated his passion for his work and great sense of humor...He will be greatly missed. With warmest regards."
"He was a great guy and a true lighting geek. I know you guys are a very tight knit group and you are all in our thoughts."
"He is remembered by me as a man who took his place in this industry seriously but with passion and humor. The time I always connected with him was at the LightFair's Wednesday morning LIRC meeting. We were in sync in understanding the right way to support, through LIRC, the lighting professionals we serve. I always appreciated that. I'm going to miss him."
"To me, Ron is part of a class act that is your lighting family. This LightFair won't be the same, not even close. My heart goes out to all of you. With love and respect."
"I only just got to know Ron at BKU, but it was clear what a charismatic leader we was. I had the pleasure of having a long conversation with him on the bus ride to the factory. It was clear he loved his wife and kids dearly and my thoughts are with them. My thoughts are also with you and everyone at B-K as you work through this!"
"I can’t begin to imagine the hole that leaves, both personally and professionally. My heart goes out to you all, and to his family – God bless."
"Although I was not close to Ron I really do miss him, I looked forward to seeing him at Lightfair. He was a great human being and friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ron's family and all of you at B-K and TEKA. Thank you for all the memories."
"Please know how much I hold his family and the B-K family close. B-K has taken such good care of me and my work with Ann Kale Associates."
"I am really at a loss for words. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ron's family and all of you at B-K lighting. It is such a lost for the entire lighting community and IALD. It has been a joy working with him especially more closely these last couple months as IALD Education Trust President."
"Please know how much I hold his family and the B-K family close. B-K has taken such good care of me and my work with Ann Kale Associates."
"He was truly one of the good guys, and we certainly enjoyed working with him over the years. He will be missed. Please accept the condolences of our firm, and please pass on our condolences to his family."
"I wanted to email our deepest condolences to all of you at BK and to Ron's family. It was a shock to see of his passing. I had the pleasure of meeting Ron a few times and found him to be a very nice person. I know he will be missed by all."
"Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Ron's family and colleagues at B-K and in the lighting industry. Ron challenged us...and made us better for having such an active interest in our success. We will miss his wit, wisdom, advice, friendship and courtesy - all of which he extended liberally."