Originally from Dixon, Iowa, Ronald R. Knoche graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in civil engineering in fall 1996.  After graduation, Ron started his career in Tipton at the Cedar County Secondary Roads Department as assistant county engineer, where he utilized his engineering skills to design road and bridge infrastructure projects. He was also able to develop his management skills with the engineering and maintenance teams. In 1999, Ron joined the Engineer Division staff for the City of Iowa City as a civil engineer, where he continued to develop his engineering on larger street, bridge, water, wastewater, and building infrastructure projects. Ron was promoted to senior engineer in 2001, to city engineer in 2003, and to his current role as Public Works director in 2015.  In this role, Ron leads the Engineering, Equipment, Resource Management, Streets, Wastewater, and Water Divisions. This has allowed him to oversee the two largest capital projects ever constructed in Iowa City. Ron was identified as a 2024 Top Ten Public Works Leader by the American Public Works Association.

In his professional engagement, Ron has served on the Statewide Urban Design and Construction Specifications Board of Directors, the Iowa Highway Research Board, the American Public Works Association Iowa Chapter Executive Committee, and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Iowa Section Board of Directors.

In his University of Iowa engagement, Ron has served as a member of the Civil Engineering Advisory Board, a practitioner advisor to the University of Iowa ASCE Student Chapter, and a professional advisor to the University of Iowa Tau Beta Pi Chapter.

In his community engagement, Ron has served on the Little Hawks Booster Club Executive Committee, the Iowa City Athletic Booster Club Executive Committee, and the Little Hawks Softball Club Executive Committee. He also officiates high school basketball.

This involvement would not be possible without the support of his family. His wife and fellow Iowa alum, Danelle Knoche, is a math teacher at Iowa City City High School. They have three children, Emily, Anna, and Olivia.