Nancy and Ron Rosner

Is it true that the two of you met on a golf course?

NANCY: Yes. I was on the women’s state team and Ron was on the men’s state team in a national competition at the Doral in Miami.

RON: It was a very special day in my life! 

NANCY: That was 36 years ago. We’ve been playing golf together ever since. Golf is an amazing character-builder. It teaches you so many wonderful things that you can carry through life, including patience, humility and fairness. It also teaches you that it’s not all about you. Yes, it can be competitive, but on a social level, it’s a wonderful way to integrate friendships and to appreciate the talents of others.

What lessons have you learned over 50-plus years in the auto industry?¹

RON: To be successful, you have to sell yourself and your values to your customers and your employees. Through your leadership, demonstrate the ability to give back. Set an example in that area.

NANCY: Appreciate the customer. Be honest. Be fair. Giving and receiving go both ways.

You generously support a variety of causes.² What drives your giving? 

NANCY: Certainly social responsibility. We’re motivated by personal experience — as well as  a connection to a cause. If our giving can make a difference in terms of social change, our hope is that others will realize they can make a difference, too.

RON: We were mentored by Doris Buffett.³ She was an inspiration. She thought philanthropic contributions ought to show a measurable return in the quality of life in the community.

So how does Cleveland Clinic fit into all of this?⁴ 

RON: We couldn’t think of a more important measurable return than enhancing the well-being in our community of Indian River County. We want people to have access to the best possible healthcare. 

NANCY: We’ve received wonderful care from Cleveland Clinic. So have our friends. Our community is growing and changing, and the healthcare needs to stay in sync. You want the right specialists in the right fields, for instance. That requires support. 

Your legacy of giving to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida, includes a transformational multiyear pledge to expand community services, which in part supported the creation of a Behavioral Health Zone in the emergency department. What good do you hope will come of this? 

NANCY: Our grandson Evan passed away unexpectedly from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, which was laced in a Xanax tablet.⁵ It was a huge loss and a shock to all of us. The opioid epidemic is a national crisis. Being able to provide behavioral health services in an emergency situation is very important. Raising awareness is critical, too. 

RON: We hope that some of our contribution goes toward education in the community so other lives won’t be lost. 

What would you like people to know about Evan?

NANCY: Evan was the middle brother of three — the Three Musketeers, we called them. All for one, one for all!  He was a wonderful person. Bright. Funny. Gentle. A great baseball pitcher in his day, too! Above all, he was a kind, happy soul. We had a family tradition of visiting New York City before Christmas. Even as a young lad, if Evan came across someone less fortunate, he would ask his parents or us for some money to give to them. 

RON: I really think he would’ve made a big difference in the world. It’s such a shame that his life was cut so short. 

NANCY: With any terrible loss, it takes time to heal. Our Christian faith has sustained us. Given time, even when you experience a profound loss, there’s a way to learn from it, to grow from it and to make something worthwhile come from it.  Evan always wanted to help those in need. We do, too. You just have to keep trying.