It is with great sadness we announce the unexpected and peaceful passing of Ronald R. Adee on Friday, April 7, 2023. He is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years, Elaine A. Kloss. Ron was born on July 17, 1951 in Hutchinson, Kansas to Raymond and Barbara (Boardman) Adee, who both predeceased him. He grew up in Newton, Kansas, where he attended Newton High School. Ron earned a BA in Economics from Northwestern University in 1973, an MSc degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 1974, and a JD degree from the University of Kansas in 1977. He was both a licensed attorney and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Ron also was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity at Northwestern. In 1977 Ron began his securities law career in the Division of Corporation Finance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Washington, D.C., where he served as special counsel in the Office of International Corporate Finance. In 1983 Ron joined the law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in New York City. He returned to Washington, D.C. in 1993 and joined the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP and later transferred to the firm’s New York City office. Ron’s law practice primarily focused on global securities offerings and international securities transactions.
He was known in the securities bar not only for his deep expertise in international securities law, but also for his calm demeanor and wry sense of humor. In the fast-paced world of international finance, Ron was known to keep a steady hand on the rudder. Despite the high-stakes nature of Ron’s work, he always treated his colleagues with dignity and respect and remained a gentleman in a rough and tumble world. After a 15-year friendship, Ron and Elaine married in 1996. They had a strong partnership and enjoyed life to its fullest. For most of their marriage Ron and Elaine maintained their primary residence in Manhattan and spent most weekends at their home on the East End of Long Island. They treasured their time alone, as well as sharing laughter, great meals and fine wine with their dear friends from around the globe.
During his retirement, Ron enjoyed doing what he loved most; reading and learning. In the past 18 years Ron read over 1,200 books and completed over 100 Great Courses on his collection of Kindles. He also enjoyed travel, opera, classical music, movie classics, bridge, chess, Italian and Spanish studies and amateur wrestling. Ron also was a longtime member of the New York Athletic Club. Ron was a voracious reader and intellectual. He was a kind man, who will be remembered most as a gentleman with a dry sense of humor and unsurpassed wealth of knowledge.
