Ronald G. “Ronnie” Hietsch, Jr.

Ronald G. “Ronnie” Hietsch, Jr., of North Palm Beach, Florida, formerly of Waltham, died on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the VA Hospital in Boston. He was 79.

Born in Waltham on March 21, 1947, he was the son of the late Ronald Hietsch, Sr., and Loraine (Huber) Hietsch. Ronnie was raised in Waltham and graduated from Waltham High School. Shortly after, he was drafted into the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Meade and spent nearly a year in Vietnam.

After returning home, Ronnie settled back in Waltham, married, and began raising his family. He started his company, Watertown Trucking and worked hard for many years providing for his family. For the past three decades he made his home in Florida, though he never lost his connection to New England.

Ronnie’s true joys were found on the water and outdoors. He loved fishing and golf and spent countless hours boating. He kept boats in Charlestown and Gloucester and on Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia, New Hampshire. Some of his happiest memories were the summers spent in New Hampshire with his family and friends. A licensed captain, he also worked as a charter captain, taking large luxury boats up and down the East Coast and into the Caribbean for owners he knew well. It was work he truly enjoyed.

He leaves his children, Stacey Broglino and her husband, Rick, of Bedford, Dianne Hietsch of Waltham, and Ronny Hietsch and his wife, Caitlin, of Waltham; and his grandchildren, Ricky, Will, Ben, and Drew; his former wife, Lesley Hietsch; and his siblings Thomas and Martin Hietsch. He was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth Hietsch.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ronnie’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Tuesday, August 4th, from 4 to 7 p.m., with his Service at 7 p.m. Burial with military honors will take place at 10:15 a.m. in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Wednesday, August 5th.