Before Ron found his true calling, he was a medical technologist for a family practice clinic from 1974-2017. Ron discovered his true love for helping people, and during this time he decided to become a volunteer with the local fire department.

Over the course of more than 30 years, Ron served the Spokane community in more ways than can be seen on paper. He was a Boy Scout leader, where he taught the scouts his love for nature. Ron also ran a fire explorer post where more than half of those involved went on to some sort of service career. The members became firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and military officers.

During his career, Ron worked for three fire departments and ran an EMS service company. Ron worked as a volunteer for Spokane County Fire District 8, Spokane County Fire District 10, and Pend Oreille County Fire District 2. Ron held positions as a station lieutenant, station captain, and battalion chief.

Ron found his love of teaching the community and fellow firefighters. During some of Ron’s classes, he was known to get their attention by tossing candy at them for answering a question. Sometimes he would throw candy at those who seemed to not be paying attention to liven them up.

During shift, Ron was not one to let his crew sit idle. After truck checks, you could expect to be training for a good portion of the shift. During that training, Ron would remind his firefighters that we are called to help someone who is having the worst moment in their lives, and it is up to us to be the best. Ron said that his crew was like his family, and he treated them as if they were. Nobody on shift was neglected, and he was always there for someone if they needed help, advice, or just an ear to bend.

As impressive as Ron’s career was, his devotion to family was second to none. He made sure that his children had what he didn’t and everything else they needed. His proudest day may have been when he became a grandfather, and he did so three times. He was there for the birthdays, school events, sports events, camping, snow shoeing, and finding Bigfoot with his grandchildren. He was able to develop a special relationship with each of them.

Ron was a loving husband of 50 years to his wife, Debbie, an amazing father to his son, Chris, and daughter, Sarah (Robert), and a fantastic papa to Charlie, Joey, and Brennen. Words cannot describe how much Ron is missed, cherished, and honored.