In Remembrance: Ronald D. Jones ’51 Died on February 10 2021

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Ronald D. Jones of Salisbury, Connecticut, died at his home on February 10, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was 91. 

Ron graduated from Yale in 1951 with a degree in applied economics. He served three and a half years as an officer in the US Navy during the Korean conflict. In 1954, on returning from Korean service, he married Jill Sundgaard of New Haven on the Yale campus. Following his naval service, he attended Harvard Law School, graduating cum laude in 1958. Ron joined the New York law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, and Leiby, beginning a relationship that would span more than 44 years. His practice in the field of electric and natural gas energy regulation grew over the years. From 1977 through 1989 he served as a senior partner with the ever-growing firm, heading up the energy and environmental practice. Following Ron’s successful litigation career, he became chairman of United Distribution Companies, a Washington-based trade group of natural gas distributors, in 1990 and served in the position for eight years. In 1998 he received the University of Missouri’s Foster Award for his contributions to the field.

He retired to Salisbury, Connecticut, in the mid-1990s where he became active in civic affairs. He led the succesful effort to obtain Congressional designation of the Upper Housatonic Valley as a National Heritage Area and he served as founding chairman until 2011.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, two children, four grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

—Submitted by the family.