“Tough Ol’ Bird” Zalewski Battles Back from Gall Bladder Treatment Two Years in a Row to Shoot Pistol Matches

CAMP PERRY, OHIO – His son describes him as a ‘tough ol’ bird,’ but whatever you call Ron J. Zalewski, he’s bound and determined to get on the pistol range at Camp Perry, even if it means hanging an IV bag from his pistol box.

Father and son, Ron L. and Ron S. Zalewski prepare to fire as teammates in the National Trophy Team match for Michigan Rifle & Pistol Gold. Judy Tant and Mark Compton rounded out the Michigan R&P Gold squad.

Zalewski, 71, of Clinton Township, Michigan, a High Master and Distinguished pistol shooter, is the winner of multiple pistol awards over the last several years including the Custer Trophy (’91), President’s Pistol Trophy (’95) and Elihu Root Gold Medal and Oglethorpe team trophy (’99) to name a few. But it seems only appropriate that someone create an award called the “Gold Gall Bladder Trophy” because for the second straight year Zalewski’s competitive spirit has willed him to walk out of the operating room following gall bladder procedures and onto the firing line.

His son, Ron S. Zalewski, (not Ron Jr.), joined his father on the line, not only to add to their Camp Perry memories but to keep his dad from keeling over from medical fatigue. Ron S., 43, of Taylor, Michigan, said he’s really proud of his dad – proud of his shooting abilities and determination.

Ron S. Zalewski calls his dad a “tough ol’ bird” for battling his way back to Camp Perry after hospital stays in each of the last two years leading up to the matches.

Ron S. is also a Distinguished pistol shot and both men have achieved President’s Hundred status in past matches. “I think I’ve won every trophy available in hard ball,” the elder Zalewski said.

“I’m here to ride health herd on him today,” Ron S. said. “My wife said if he wasn’t watching me, I couldn’t come,” his dad followed.

Last year Zalewski arrived at Camp Perry 10 days after a nine-day stint in the hospital with ascending colangitis, a potentially life-threatening infection of the gall bladder bile duct which required bed rest and intravenous antibiotic treatment.

“They said I went septic and four days before last year’s matches I was still on an IV. I felt well enough to come to Camp Perry though, so I did.

This year Zalewski’s gall bladder acted up again and his condition required surgery to remove the organ and cut away adhesions with a scalpel and not by more contemporary means with a scoped instrument.

“Hey pop, last year they just stuck a scope down your throat - this year they filleted you like a fish,” Zalewski’s son chimed in.

Ron L. and his son strike familiar poses on the pistol firing line during the NTT pistol match. Their Michigan R&P Gold team placed fifth in the competition.

“One of the primary reasons I come down here is I take care of housing for our state association shooters,” Zalewski said. “I have about 18 guys here that depend on me to make sure that all gets straightened out.” He and his son have been officers in the Michigan Rifle & Pistol Association for several years.

“My doctor said physically I’m able to shoot, but if I don’t feel good, he said not to shoot. I was sitting back here after the President’s match and I was whipped after that,” he said. “I said to myself it’s only 30 rounds, but I’ll tell you, it was a tough 30 rounds.

“My strength is way down and I’ve been laid up for the best part of nine weeks and I haven’t handled a pistol in nine weeks either,” he added. “I was in intensive care for a couple days, but I’m doing okay.”

With full sun, high humidity and temperatures soaring into the upper 80s, even the healthiest of shooters were feeling the effects of Camp Perry summer.

“This time next year, God willing and if the tides don’t rise, I’m going to shoot everything,” Zalewski said. “I’m really thankful to my shooting friends from all over the country who have sought me out and wished me well,” he said.

For complete results of the 2011 National Trophy Pistol Matches, log onto http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=6543. To view photos from the pistol matches, log onto http://cmp1.zenfolio.com. 

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