Ronald A. Parise was born and raised in Warren, Ohio. He graduated from Warren Western Reserve High School in 1969, received a bachelor of science degree in physics, with minors in mathematics, astronomy, and geology, from Youngstown State University in 1973, and earned a master of science degree and a doctor of philosophy degree in astronomy from University of Florida. He flew on STS-35/Astro-I aboard Columbia from December 2-10, 1990, when the Astro observatory used three telescopes to simultaneously record spectral data, polarimetric data, and imagery of faint astronomical objects in the far ultraviolet. He later flew on STS-67/Astro-2 aboard Endeavour from March 2-18, 1995, the second flight of the Astro observatory. During that record-setting 16-day mission, the crew conducted observations around the clock. Parise said that space flight was unlike any other experience, bringing the physical and mental stress of launch, a long period of weightlessness, an unimaginable view of the earth and sky out the window, and new challenges in everyday activities such as eating, dressing, and bathing.