Ron DeWitte, one of Iowa’s most celebrated blues and rock guitarists, passed away February 16 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 68.
A Cedar Rapids native, Ron formed his first band, called The Tremelos, when he was just thirteen. He graduated from Cedar Rapids Jefferson, and would go on to join The Legends, which would be the first of four bands with whom he would be inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He also performed with the Linn County Band, The Blue Band, and many others. He was inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame in 2003.
For the last decade, he performed often with his wife, Lynn Rothrock, and even at the height of his illness, gave stunning shows, performing until just a few weeks before his passing.
Ron is survived by his wife Lynne, children Michael DeWitte and Jody Jensen, grandchildren Nolan and Evyn, and hundreds of friends and fans whose life he enriched through music and love.
KCCK’s Wednesday Special this week will be a broadcast tribute to Ron.