When I heard my friend Ron Milhous passed away (July 10th 2024) time just stopped. My heart immediately became heavy for his wife, Dena. They were team mates in the BBQ world on so many levels.
Ron not only served on the Iowa BBQ Society Board at one time, he was a BBQ judge and a competition cook (DOWN HOME COOK'N & BAR-B-QUE) with his wife, Dena. They were were KCBS contest reps and contest organizers, too. Always together working to benefit the BBQ community. Ron loved being around people.
Ron and Dena enjoyed visiting Bubba-Q's in Ottumwa, IA. In 2013 they hosted a BBQ Friend Get Together lunch at the Bubba-Q's. What a joy it was getting us all together to visit and enjoy really great BBQ. Cherished memories, indeed!
Ron not only served on the Iowa BBQ Society Board at one time, he was a BBQ judge and a competition cook (DOWN HOME COOK'N & BAR-B-QUE) with his wife, Dena. They were were KCBS contest reps and contest organizers, too. Always together working to benefit the BBQ community. Ron loved being around people.
Ron and Dena enjoyed visiting Bubba-Q's in Ottumwa, IA. In 2013 they hosted a BBQ Friend Get Together lunch at the Bubba-Q's. What a joy it was getting us all together to visit and enjoy really great BBQ. Cherished memories, indeed!
I have great memories of Ron's contest CENTRAL IOWA EXPO BBQ, CRUIZ & BREW (Boone, IA). In April 2015, I cooked with Bubba-Q's (Bubba & Sabrina Knapp - Ottumwa, IA). We ended up winning 1st place in Ribs.
One summer at the BBQ Rendezvous in Marion, IA, Ron was vending BBQ and gave me a surprise gift - an Orion Cooker. That was very thoughtful of Ron.
In 2014, all the cooks asked me to come compete at the Rose Festival using the team name SAVE THE DAY BBQ. One more team was needed to make this event a qualifier. I agreed. I smoked up a pork butt in the Orion and nailed 8th place at a pro comp.
I remember the outburst from the crowd of cooks when my name was called. That was a fun day for SAVE THE DAY BBQ!
The pork was delicious, but the box was not all that pretty. It was just a pile of pulled pork. I showed Ron a photo of my box and he agreed with me. "Yeah, that box is ugly, Herb." Hilarious! Taste and Tenderness saved the day!
What I enjoyed most about Ron was his sense of humor and he always had a story to tell. Some of the funniest moments I did not catch on video and I wish I had. Oh boy, listening to the back and forth banter between Ron and Dave Compton was priceless. They teased each other about their age quite often.
I'll never forget when Ron & Dena opened their restaurant DOWN HOME COOK'N & BAR-B-QUE in Ames, IA. They gave me and my friends a tour and we sat down to eat some great Q. Ron gave us some pig candy at the end and it was delicious! A very memorable day.
In 2014, all the cooks asked me to come compete at the Rose Festival using the team name SAVE THE DAY BBQ. One more team was needed to make this event a qualifier. I agreed. I smoked up a pork butt in the Orion and nailed 8th place at a pro comp.
I remember the outburst from the crowd of cooks when my name was called. That was a fun day for SAVE THE DAY BBQ!
The pork was delicious, but the box was not all that pretty. It was just a pile of pulled pork. I showed Ron a photo of my box and he agreed with me. "Yeah, that box is ugly, Herb." Hilarious! Taste and Tenderness saved the day!
What I enjoyed most about Ron was his sense of humor and he always had a story to tell. Some of the funniest moments I did not catch on video and I wish I had. Oh boy, listening to the back and forth banter between Ron and Dave Compton was priceless. They teased each other about their age quite often.
I'll never forget when Ron & Dena opened their restaurant DOWN HOME COOK'N & BAR-B-QUE in Ames, IA. They gave me and my friends a tour and we sat down to eat some great Q. Ron gave us some pig candy at the end and it was delicious! A very memorable day.
In 2016, Ron ran for KCBS Board of Directors. It was the first time BBQ CRITIC endorsed a BOD candidate. The meme I posted on Facebook at the time said it all...
On a serious note, Ron & Dena were let go as reps from KCBS over a contest dispute in 2020. I GOT PISSED. First thing I did is write a post on Facebook. I won't re-post it here, but the link is below if you want to read it.
My post caught the attention of a KCBS Board member who then called me. I won't reveal what was said on the phone, but it was a very pleasant and respectful conversation.
Thanks to all the public outcry from so many KCBS members supporting Ron & Dena, KCBS did the right thing and reinstated them as reps. I did make another FB post and this one I will re-post:
Thanks to all the public outcry from so many KCBS members supporting Ron & Dena, KCBS did the right thing and reinstated them as reps. I did make another FB post and this one I will re-post:
"KANSAS CITY BARBEQUE SOCIETY hires back Iowa-based BBQ contest reps Ron and Dena Milhous. It's great to see KCBS live up to its motto of Truth, Justice, Excellence in Barbeque, and the American Way of Life. Ron and Dena exemplify this very concept. Congrats, Ron and Dena!"
I remember many fun times together with Ron. He was a very down to earth person, very approachable and always made you feel like he cared about you as a person.
In December of 2013, I announced on the BBQ CRITIC FB page that I had just awarded the 2023 BBQ CRITIC "HALL OF FAME" to Angela Lockmann-Guzman & Shawn Lewis (from Sugarfire Smoke House in Cedar Rapids, Iowa).
Ron thoughtfully shared my post on his wall and said, "Love what you are doing Herb Kane." That statement meant a lot to me. He was always supporting me in some way or another. Ron was a true friend.
Well Ron, I love what you and Dena have done to advance the world of BBQ. You have experienced the good, the bad - and all the love that everyone felt for you. Together you persevered through it all and in the end - you mostly provided everyone a lot of fun and cherished memories leaving us all with a smile on our faces.
So I am glad, Ron Milhous, that you loved that Hall of Fame post because now I am honored to induct you and Dena officially into the 2024 BBQ CRITIC "HALL OF FAME," a dedicated husband and wife team who were inseparable in their mutual contribution to the world of BBQ.
In December of 2013, I announced on the BBQ CRITIC FB page that I had just awarded the 2023 BBQ CRITIC "HALL OF FAME" to Angela Lockmann-Guzman & Shawn Lewis (from Sugarfire Smoke House in Cedar Rapids, Iowa).
Ron thoughtfully shared my post on his wall and said, "Love what you are doing Herb Kane." That statement meant a lot to me. He was always supporting me in some way or another. Ron was a true friend.
Well Ron, I love what you and Dena have done to advance the world of BBQ. You have experienced the good, the bad - and all the love that everyone felt for you. Together you persevered through it all and in the end - you mostly provided everyone a lot of fun and cherished memories leaving us all with a smile on our faces.
So I am glad, Ron Milhous, that you loved that Hall of Fame post because now I am honored to induct you and Dena officially into the 2024 BBQ CRITIC "HALL OF FAME," a dedicated husband and wife team who were inseparable in their mutual contribution to the world of BBQ.
Dena Milhous accepts the 2024 BBQ CRITIC "HALL OF FAME" plaque.
I am pretty sure when Ron reached Heaven, Dave Compton greeted him at the gates ready to give him the grand tour. Even in eternity, they are probably still joking about each other's age. That image just puts a smile on my face.
One day we will reunite again, my friend, in the presence of our Lord. Until then...
Sending prayers of peace and healing to everyone who loved Ron Milhous. Below is a tribute video I made for the memory of Ron.
God Bless Ron & Dena Milhous.
With Love,
Herb Kane
BBQ CRITIC
One day we will reunite again, my friend, in the presence of our Lord. Until then...
Sending prayers of peace and healing to everyone who loved Ron Milhous. Below is a tribute video I made for the memory of Ron.
God Bless Ron & Dena Milhous.
With Love,
Herb Kane
BBQ CRITIC
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
A Celebration of Life for Ron Milhous will be on Saturday August 10, 2024 from 2pm-6pm at the Ames Moose Lodge 644 West 190th Street Ames Iowa.
Dena would ike to honor his memory by coming together to share stories, laughter, and memories Some of Ron’s favorite BBQ will be served!
Dena would ike to honor his memory by coming together to share stories, laughter, and memories Some of Ron’s favorite BBQ will be served!
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