Obituary: Smith, Ronald W.
Ron and younger sister Renee (Heaton) were born and raised in Spokane by Ronald L. and Veryl Smith.
After graduating from Central Valley High, Ron married Marilyn “Jo” Panther, obtained an engineering degree from Gonzaga University, and put it to work during 40 years of service at Kaiser Aluminum.
Together Ron and Jo enabled countless, wonderful experiences for their five sons: Bill, Steve, Mike (Burkesmith) and Paul (all Oregon residents) and Brad (of Elk, WA).
The extended family now includes 16 grandchildren (Tammie, Shelly, Lexi, Ronnie, Eleanor, Evelyn, Alyshia, Emily, Lucas, Kelsey, Jared, Brianne, Travis, Taylor, Morgan, and Jordan), six great-grandchildren (Connor, Brandon, Meileena, Adrianna, Elijah, and Sloan) and one great-great-grandchild (Bentley).
Four years after Jo’s passing in 2000, Ron remarried to Abby A. Ullman.
The two lived many happy and eventful years in Hope and later Sandpoint, where Abby now survives him at their Northshore home.
Ron’s life was a rich amalgam of parenting, husbanding, learning, professional achievement, travel, recreation, friendship, reinvention, and endurance.
As regards his parenting the five boys grew into men of integrity and accomplishment and married women of surpassing character.
It speaks volumes that Ron was deeply loved by all of his daughters-in-law Michelle, Aiko, Amy (deceased), Melody, Sandy, and Elissa.
As regards his professional life, a clear reflection of Ron’s skill and approach was that his retirement dinner was attended not only by friends, family, and co-workers but also by many of his customers, some having traveled hundreds of miles to be there.
And all who knew him witnessed the joy he took in friendship, jazz, food, wine, and of course skiing.
His most active skiing year was at age 76.
That season he skied 76 days.
Ron’s motto was “When in doubt, under-react”.
His religion was open-mindedness with a Spiritual center.
His communication channel was Love.
His persona was Decency and Humor.
His essence was Integrity.
He will be sorely missed.
An informal celebration of Ron’s life will be held at the clubhouse at Westwood (off of Hwy 2) at 3:30PM on May 16.
For those interested in making a memorial gift the family suggests The Nature Conservancy of Idaho or Hospice of Sandpoint.
LAKEVIEW FUNERAL HOME in SANDPOINT is handling the arrangements.
Please visit Ron’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.