Ronnie Kaiser, 78, passed away on May 4, 2024, at his home in Pineville, Louisiana surrounded by his wife of 55 years, Brenda, his three daughters, and cherished sister-in-law, Patricia Brewer. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 23, 1946, to Ruby Agnes Nelson. He graduated from Pineville High School in 1964 where he played basketball and was named honorable-mention All-American. He went on to play college basketball at Louisiana College where he was once known as the best rebounder to ever play for the college. After his college career he became known as one of the best high school coaches in the state of Louisiana. Excellence was ingrained in him. His dedication is what made him such a renowned coach. He spent most of his coaching career at Pineville High School, the school that he felt such love for. He spent 34 years there and was successful in baseball, basketball, girls’ softball.
He coached his baseball teams to the district championships ten times. His basketball teams held a district championship title consistently from 1988 until he retired in 2002. He was in a select group of coaches that have won the State Championship as both a baseball and basketball coach. He was named District Coach of the Year multiple times and Louisiana Coach of the Year twice. He was considered by his colleagues as one of the all-time top coaches in Louisiana.
After a long career at PHS he was brought out of retirement to coach the girl’s basketball team at Alexandria Country Day, Alexandria, Louisiana. He was there for 10 years and went undefeated twice. And yes, even young girls thought he was an awesome coach.
Ronnie was much more than a coach though. First, he was a father and husband. Family was everything to him and it showed in how he loved his wife and daughters.
No matter the day, time or place they were his number one. His huge heart, work ethic and humor are just a few of the amazing qualities his family was lucky enough to know. He was an active member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Pineville. He was a member of the choir and served as a Lector.
Those left to cherish his memories are his beloved wife, of 55 years, Brenda McPhate Kaiser, three daughters, Kassandra Kaiser, Kari Kaiser Foti and Krystal Kaiser Armand. Seven grandchildren, Kelsey Wittington, Jude Foti, Michael Kaiser and Alexander Kaiser, Kinsley Rish, Analise Armand, Amelia Armand, Kolton Armand, and Benjamin Armand, and two great grandchildren, Eden Brouillette and Atlas Kaiser, and an abundance of people whose lives he affected. Two sisters, Cheryl Kaiser Stiles and Marie Blake Kaiser.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Nelson Bollinger, his father Thomas Handy; his sister, Julia Kaiser Holiday, and two brothers, Grant Kaiser, and Cecil Kaiser.
A Mass of Christian burial be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Pineville, with Reverend Dale Meade officiating. Graveside services immediately following at Greenwood Memorial Park, Pineville. Reception following at Sacred Heart Church.
Visitation will take place at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Pineville, LA, Friday, May 10, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 8 p.m. and a Rosary will be said at 6:00 p.m.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Compassionate Care Hospice for their overwhelming support during the last month of Ronnie’s illness.