The photo community in Ohio awoke Sunday to hear the shocking news that longtime Cleveland sports photographer Ron Schwane had passed away suddenly. Schwane had worked for many years at the Medina Gazette and freelanced for AP, Getty and a host of other clients.
Many of us worked alongside Schwane at Cleveland professional sporting events, a place where many friendships had formed over the years. Schwane was the sort of individual that easily made friends and the reason many are mourning his loss today.
One of those is Aaron Josefczyk who posted on social media – Ron was my very first friend when I moved to Medina 31 years ago, he helped me figure my way around and learn the photography job as we were both rookies at the time. Ron brought me into the Medina Gazette as a sports photographer in 1999 and we were both there until this day. Ron also gave me my connection with Reuters and the late legend Ron Kuntz, without Ron’s help it is hard to tell where my career would have taken me. I am tore up, we lost an amazing photographer and friend yesterday.
Schwane’s passing has left Medina County high schools in shock as well. Many of us saw his images from professional sports assignments, but there were many more high school and equestrian events that he covered over the years.
There are no calling hours or funeral service, but a celebration of life, probably in late June, is in the works.
Link to a tribute column in the Medina Gaztee by Rick Nolan
The Cleveland Guardians had a scoreboard tribute and a moment of silence prior to the team’s game Monday agains the New York Mets in his honor. (Curtis Danburg)