Ronald Severa played at Compton College and Southern Cal. He played club water polo for Lynwood Swim Club, City of Commerce Swim Club, and Downey Athletic Club. In addition to competing at two Olympics, Severa won a gold medal at the 1959 Pan American Games, and a silver at the 1963 Pan Ams. He played on two AAU champions, in 1961 indoors with City of Commerce, and in 1962 with Lynwood SC. Severa was an AAU All-American in 1960-63. He later became water polo coach at Southern Cal from 1964-76, and then was assistant coach from 1976-79. Severa was inducted into the US Water Polo Hall of Fame in 1977.