LINES FROM LINDA
RO NA L D H . M E NA K E R
MAG N I F I C E N T MA N - M E MO R A B L E MOM E N T S
BY LINDA AYERS TURNER KNORR
I t would take all of the big words to describe Ronald. H. Menaker. His brilliance touched every aspect of his well-rounded life, from Madison Avenue to a simple dog walk. He loved people and worked alongside them, inspiring and leading them to make monumental dreams come true. I am greatly blessed to have been a part of his circle of friends in our dog world. Shortly after their marriage, Ron brought Lorna to Greenville, South Caro- lina, where I met her for the first time. We celebrated with a champagne din- ner at the Poinsett Club. After dessert we toured downtown, introducing Lorna to my Southern city. When we reached our famous suspended Liberty Bridge, magically, fireworks lit up the sky from our baseball stadium a few blocks away. Laughingly, I told Ron and Lorna that I had perfectly timed it just for them. The evening was an “always remember” time for the three of us. The Menakers have many friends all over the globe. I asked four of his very special ones from our sport to share some of their memories of Ron. REMEMBERING RON “Ron’s passing was a profound loss for me as well as those who knew him. He was a close personal friend of mine for more than 30-plus years, whose presence in my life was a God-given gift. From humble beginnings and a difficult childhood, he rose to the top in more ways than one; a typical Horatio Alger scenario. Who begins their career in the mail- room and ends up as Managing Director and head of Corporate Services Worldwide at J.P Morgan? His business acumen was second to none, whether at J.P. Morgan or the Boardroom of the American Kennel Club. He was sought after to be on the Board of hospitals, financial institutions, and even a veterinary school. Who could forget his many years as Show Chairman of the Westminster Kennel Club? Ron was honored with membership in a number of dog clubs, including the Kennel Club Of England. His personable charm and personality, and his sense of humor, were magical. Everyone wanted to be in his company. He was the center of attention wherever he went, and one of the most remarkable storytellers you would ever meet. Dinner with Ron was not only a culinary experience but an adventure as well. I shall never forget how he conducted AKC Board Meetings as Chairman: A Master Class on how to bring everyone together with sound logic and street smarts. He was a problem-solver like no other. On many occasions, individuals in the dog world community sought his help with health issues either for themselves or a family member. He always found the physicians they needed for their loved ones. As an AKC judge, I marveled at how he ran his ring, always chatting up the exhibitors as well as their dogs so that they were relaxed. As former Chair and Board Member of the AKC Museum of the Dog, he is responsible for bringing back the Museum of the Dog to New York from St. Louis. His passion for dog art as a collector was well-known, donating several of his paintings to the museum. And who could forget those memorable Theater Benefits he created? Perhaps one of his most admirable traits was how he treated everyone he met. Whether a receptionist or royalty, his broad smile, and his warm and animated conversation, won you over. A true Humanitarian and Icon: Ron Menaker… there was only one. There will never be another.” — Lee Arnold
Lorna and Ron celebrated their new marriage with me in South Carolina at Greenville’s Poinsett Club.
42 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MARCH 2022
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