Bellflower city councilmember Joseph Ronald “Ron” Schnablegger died Tuesday, he was 62 years old. The city’s official website made the announcement Tuesday evening, stating that Schnablegger had “peacefully passed.”

Schnablegger worked as a local real estate appraiser, but it’s clear his passion and commitment was to the city he grew up in.

A graduate of Bellflower High, Schnablegger was appointed to the city’s Public Safety Commission in 1992 and went on to serve as a member of the Bellflower Unified School District Citizens Task Force and helped found Bellflower Against Gangs.

First elected to the city council in a special election in 2013, Schnablegger served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2016 to 2017 and as Mayor from 2017 to 2018. One of the highlights of his term as mayor was officiating at the completion and dedication of six Habitat for Humanity homes in Bellflower.

“My city council colleagues and I were here with the Habitat LA staff partners, sponsors and partner homeowners for the groundbreaking of this project, and we are very excited to be a part of the Home Dedication Ceremony,” he said at the ceremony. “We proudly support the work that Habitat for Humanity does in our community and are very excited for the new Bellflower homeowners.”

Schnablegger was appointed to serve four more years after being the only person from his district who filed papers to run in 2018. His unexpired term would have run until November 2022, the city council will meet soon to discuss how to fill the seat.

“Ron always put the community first,” said Mayor Ray Dunton, “and his input as a commissioner and council member helped shape Bellflower into what it is today and what it is becoming. His colleagues and city staff will miss his leadership dearly.”

Schnablegger recently celebrated his 33rd wedding anniversary with his wife Joyce. The couple had four sons and nine grandchildren.