Ron, 83, died March 23, 2023, at his home in Pendleton, Oregon. Ron, an enrolled member of the Umatilla Tribe, was born at McKay Creek, Oregon December 6, 1939. He earned a degree from Eastern Oregon College in 1974, a teaching certificate from Oregon State in 1977, a master's from Oregon State in 1992, and a Ph.D. from Washington State University. Ron fought fires on the Umatilla NF 1963-65 and jumped at McCall 1966-69 making 44 jumps. Twenty-five of these were fire jumps. His son, Mitch, jumped at Grangeville 1990-92.