Ronald Strandberg

Ronald Elwin was born February 14, 1926 to Richard Eric and Edith Ruth Strandberg in Bellingham, Washington. He was the youngest of four and known by his family as ‘Ronnie’.

He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1944 and considered himself fortunate that he got to graduate before he was drafted. The following July he reported to Fort Lewis to begin his Army service. He was trained as a bombsite mechanic for the B-29s. In December 1945, he arrived in France and was stationed in Germany to support a group of B-17s tasked with making an aerial survey of Europe. In June of 1946 he returned to the US and was discharged on June 29, 1946.

His brother Russel, also recently discharged from the Army, enrolled them both at Washington State University so they could attend together. Ron finished his teaching degree in 1952.

His teaching career started in Republic Washington with a class of 7th graders in the fall of 1952. The following year he moved to Granger, Washington and then in 1956 Aberdeen, Washington. He taught mostly math and was part of the staff that opened the new Hopkins Junior High.
At Hopkins Junior High he met the new Home Economics teacher Rosa Lee Cary and they were married on March 21, 1964.
The next events were the arrival of son, Keith in September of 1966 followed by daughter, Lisa in April of 1970.
In 1989 after 37 years of teaching he retired.

He was a lifelong stamp collector, enjoyed model railroading and photography. He enjoyed traveling with his wife of 47 years. Together they were active with Grays Harbor and Olympia camps of The Gideons International, and members at Evergreen Christian Community. He went to meet his Savior on December 15, 2016.
Ron is survived by: his son Keith (Lisa) of Olympia; his daughter Lisa (Kevin) of Bellingham; and his five granddaughters: Anna, Hannah, Alissa, Rebekah, and Rachel.

His family is planning a Celebration of Life for Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 11:00, at Evergreen Christian Community, 1000 Blacklake Blvd, Olympia Washington.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Gideons International.