A native of Rochester, NY, Ron was born on April 14, 1951. At the age of two, he and his parents, Gene and Monica, along with his brothers Bruce and Doug, moved to California, settling in northern San Diego County. Ron attended elementary and high school in Vista, earning money by working in the nearby strawberry fields. He recieved his bachelor's degree in economics at San Diego State University and did post graduate work at the University of California in San Diego. Relocating to Los Angeles in 1977, he worked as a water resource economist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 1984, Ron became Director of Finance for the international shipping firm, American Presidential Lines. Four years later, he relocated to the Bay Area, settling in Piedmont and later in Oakland. He worked at APL, then later with Orient Overseas Container Lines (OOCL), retiring in 2005.
Ron was always ready to help a friend in need, and his friendships were many and close. One of his greatest pleasures was spending time in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, where he would often go to relax and unwind. He competed in an Annual golf tournament with his longtime friend, Joe Matney, in Michigan. He was an excellent woodworker, renovating houses and interiors in Venice, South Pasadena, Piedmont and Oakland. He loved music, photography, hiking, gardening, bicycling, Bay Area sports teams, good books, and the company of his many friends. Outgoing and completely accepting of others, Ron considered himself a citizen of the world, and made many lasting friendships at home and abroad.
On August 19, 2017, Ron suddenly passed away from sudden heart failure, several weeks before a planned pilgrimage hike along the Camino de Compostela, from Portugal to Spain. He is survived by his two sons, Andrew and Christopher; his grandson, Kingsley; sister-in-law, Linda-Paine Wolf; five nieces and nephews; and countless friends. An invenerate optimist, he always lived life to the fullest. As one friend said, upon hearing of his passing, "he lived the life of an 85 year-old in only 66 years". He will be missed, but never forgotten.
