Ronald Eisenbarth

Ronald L. Eisenbarth died May 15, 2012, peacefully at home with his family by his side.

He is survived by his loving wife, Pat; his children including sons Joe (Bea) of Dodge City and Doug of Henry, IL; daughters Tammy (Roy) Sangmeister of Manhattan, IL, Chris (Tony) Brandenburg, Sherri (Kevin Lavender) Eisenbarth, and Tricia (Dan) McConnell all of Topeka; 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; and sister, Anna Marie (Tony) Heideman and family, Corning; uncle Lou (Nadine) Eisenbarth, Topeka, and aunts Dorothy (Don) Henry, Goff, and Edith (Ray) Rombeck, Topeka and also many other relatives. Ron was a very proud father and grandfather.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Norbert and Frances (Krogmann) Eisenbarth, and infant sister, Mary.

Ron was born March 6, 1937 and raised on a farm near Corning, KS. He graduated from St. Patrick's Grade School and Corning High School (1954). He also attended Washburn University and taught there for several years. Ron enjoyed gardening and fishing and was an avid Kansas City Royals and Kansas State Wildcat fan. Ron was a State and Nationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He began his career at Topeka State Hospital from 1970 to 1972. He was Director of Services for Alcohol and Drug Related Problems (SARP) in Topeka from 1972 to 1992 and then began his private practice, Eisenbarth and Associates, in 1992 until his retirement in 2011. Ron served as President of the Kansas Alcohol and Drug Counselors Association from 1980 to 1982 and received its Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also founder of Topeka Shawnee County Alcohol/Drug Abuse Advisory Council in 1974 and was an active member until his death. In l974, Ron was one of the founders of the Kansas Alcohol and Drug Counselors Association, now known as Kansas Association of Addiction Professionals (KAAP). He served for many years as the Counselors Association's President and their legislative representative and was instrumental in gaining certification for Alcohol and Drug Counselors as well as developing funding for treatment for alcohol and drug addictions. Ron assisted in creation and development of the Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling and served 2 terms as its President. Ron was also a founder of the Topeka-Shawnee County Drug Court. Ron recently celebrated 43 years of sobriety.

Ron will lie in state at 1:00 PM Thursday, May 17th and visitation will follow from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Ron's funeral service will be on May 18th at 10:30 AM at the Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka. Following the service, burial will be at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery & Mausoleum, 3616 SW 6th Ave, also in Topeka.

Memorial contributions may be made to Valeo Recovery Center, 330 Oakley Avenue, Topeka, KS 66606.