Ronald D. Helmer

Coach Ron Helmer, whose venerable presence was felt on cross country courses and on the track for a career that spanned 54 years, died July 4, 2024. Ron was born into a farming family in Lyons, Kansas on June 25, 1947, and spent his formative years riding a combine, singing in the choir on Sunday mornings at tiny Ebenezer United Methodist Church (under the watchful eye of his mother), playing football, basketball, and running track. Some of Ron’s fondest memories were of returning to Lyons every Summer at harvest time. He graduated from Southwestern College, where he ran track and was followed by 7 successive Helmer family members who did the same. This culminated in the naming of the Helmer Family Track facility, and Ron was also recognized by the university’s Hall of Fame.

Coach Helmer leaves a legacy of inspiring and mentoring thousands of track athletes. He began his coaching career at Ark City High School, then continued coaching at Virginia and Woodbridge High Schools. He quickly discovered that his “motivational techniques” with those kids – while not always warm and fuzzy - inspired them to work and often surpass their running goals. This resulted in multiple state championships. Eventually, Coach Frank Gagliano allowed Ron to assist as a part-time volunteer at Georgetown University, and it was there that Coach Helmer’s legendary collegiate career began. During 20 storied years as Director of Track and Field at Georgetown, he coached 213 Big East individual champions, 15 of his Georgetown teams won the Big East title, his teams were consistent annual contenders for the famous “wheel” at the Penn Relays, and he is a member of the Georgetown Hall of Fame. He and Mary arrived in Bloomington in 2007 where Ron assumed the reins as Director of Indiana University Track and Field, where he coached until his retirement in 2023. During his tenure at IU, Coach Helmer had 52 Big Ten individual champions and won 5 Big Ten conference championships. Overall, he coached 6 individual NCAA champions and 407 All Americans. He was honored and delighted to end his coaching career on the track, assisting his son Justin at Bloomington North High School this past Spring. Finally one cannot think of Coach Helmer without a reference to Blue Ridge Running camp, which he founded in 1986 and directed for more than 30 years.

Ron is survived by his wife Rebecca (Browning) Helmer; his children Victoria Arther (Jay), Justin Helmer (Shannon Glenn) and Kari Helmer (Justin Fitzgerald); stepsons Charles (Allison), Robert (Jenn) and Theodore Browning; grandchildren Sydney, Rylee, Brody, Hazel, Layla, Donovan, and Brooklyn; brother Jim Helmer (Deborah) and sister Lynette St. Vrain (Brad.) He was preceded in death by his wife Mary C. Helmer, his father Ralph and his mother Mildred.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, July 9, from 4-7:00 pm at The Funeral Chapel, 3000 E. Third St. in Bloomington. Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, July 10, at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. Coach Helmer, Becky and the family will be forever grateful to Dr. Rafat Abonour and his tireless commitment to Ron’s well being. Thus, in lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts payable to IU Foundation/Myeloma Research. Please indicate "In Memory of Ron Helmer" on your gift. Mail to: IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, PO Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207.