He succumbed to cancer aged 70 after developing the Samaria town of Ariel into a thriving city over nearly three decades and serving the town until his last day.  Ron Nachman, a former Likud Knesset Member, fought and won the battle to win Ariel College full academic recognition as a university. He is widely mourned as a national figure, survived by his wife Dorit, four daughters and grandchildren. The date of his funeral is still to be announced.