Mourning local historian, community advocate Ron Richardson

Family, friends, and history buffs are among those mourning Fauntleroy resident Ron Richardson, who has died after a year-plus fight with cancer. He is known well for his involvement with so many parts of the West Seattle community, particularly the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.

We first met Ron in 2008 after running a story about the ever-changing war-toll sign in front of his home across from Lincoln Park – he himself then provided a followup. Later that year, Ron and wife Sherry Richardson were featured here again for their campaign to get signs reminding people not to idle while in the ferry lines.

Despite the public nature of some of what he was involved with, Ron, who was 75, had always been a private, humble person, and dealt with his health challenge with quiet dignity as well. We spoke with Sherry Richardson this afternoon; she says Ron’s memorial is set for 2 pm Tuesday, February 22nd, at The Hall at Fauntleroy.

We asked Sherry what she wanted people to know about her husband, if they didn’t know him well and know all this already: She talked about his community involvement, particularly with Fauntleroy, which was central to his study of local history. Instead of just looking to historical events, she says, Ron believed that everyone had a story to tell – not just regarding their history, but a story that existed on several levels. A sincere interest in people is what drew him into the study of history. We were lucky to have benefited from some of his contributions here (like this story about a historic Fauntleroy estate) and on our partner site White Center Now (he studied WC history too, with one example this HistoryLink.org article about the old roller rink).

SWSHS past president Judy Bentley (added Thursday) adds, “Ron was a member of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society Board until the end of 2010, when he could no longer participate in board meetings but kept coming to events at the Log House Museum. Ron loved local history and was known for his walking tours of the Fauntleroy and White Center neighborhoods. A tour led by Ron always held delightful surprises — front-porch interviews with long-time residents, little known paths along the waterfront, new bakeries that brought neighborhood history and culture alive. He was a passionate and dogged advocate for historic preservation, most recently for the Seaview building at The Kenney.”

Instead of flowers, memorial donations are invited for any or all of three causes: The SWSHS (which you can reach through the Log House Museum); the University of Washington Brain Tumor Research Fund (donations will be accepted in Ron’s name through the Neurology Department); and the school-building Central Asia Institute, known through the book “Three Cups of Tea.”

16 Replies to "Mourning local historian, community advocate Ron Richardson"

  • kim February 9, 2011 (6:13 pm)

    Ron was a lovely man, a true champion for the Fauntleroy community. My love to you, Sherry.
    Kim Petram

  • miws February 9, 2011 (7:16 pm)

    Sincerest condolences to Ron’s family and friends…

    .

    Mike

  • Marco February 9, 2011 (7:28 pm)

    My condolances to Ron’s family. He will be missed~
    Marco Behar

  • Ron\\\'s fan February 9, 2011 (7:44 pm)

    An hour in conversation with Ron is enlightening, interesting, entertaining and just plain fun.
    An incredible participant to the community and a good friend. I miss him already.
    Gary

  • Patrick February 9, 2011 (9:22 pm)

    About a year and a half ago I went on Ron’s walking tour of White Center. That was just a couple of months before he fell ill. He gave a lively and animated talk that revolved around White Center’s long history of damning the torpedoes and proceeding on at its own very deliberately chosen pace.

    Whenever we saw Ron he was never without an addendum or a some additional piece of information for something we posted. And each time each fact came with a smile.

    Tonight we thought about Ron, Cherisse Luxa, who was also on Ron’s White Center tour, and Matt Durham and how life seems a little emptier without them around. This small experiment in journalism has put us in the path of so many remarkable people.

    Ron was right, everybody has a story and it was an honor to tell his.

    Our thoughts go out to Sherry and the family.

  • chas redmond February 9, 2011 (10:44 pm)

    It was a great honor to have worked with Ron over a long number of years on the West Seattle walking trails (and map) project and the upcoming kiosks. Ron and I had one thing in common which allowed me to enjoy his company and his stories and his recounting of the histories he discovered – and that was walking – we both loved walking. I will always remember him telling me something about a place or a time and I will remember many hours of local lore tutoring which he willingly gave me in the Original Bakery’s upper area, at the big oval table. As I mentioned, knowing Ron really was an honor.

  • Jane Conrad February 10, 2011 (1:03 pm)

    He was a great guy who did so much for his communty!

  • Brad February 10, 2011 (1:09 pm)

    Ron was a very humble man who always listened and was interested genuinely about everyone’s own story. He was an instructor at Kent Junior high school and was respected and well-liked by most if not all of his students. He was passionate about teaching and passionate about history. Every time I talk to to Ron, I knew I was going to come away from the conversation was something significant learned. I will miss him and so many others.

    Brad

  • Silly Goose February 10, 2011 (2:41 pm)

    I am so saddened by this news, he was a lovely soul and I will always remember his kind nature and interesting conversations. Rest in Peace Ron you are now free. Hugs and Kisses to you Sherry

  • Pastor Ron Marshall February 11, 2011 (10:23 am)

    Ron was a real West Seattle treasure! I remember when he visited our church (First Lutheran Church of West Seattle) to help with our local history and to help us see how our story interfaced with the other religious institutions in our neighborhood. And all of this he did with acute historical sensitivity and a charming boyish enthusiasm. It goes without saying that Ron’s community achievements will enrich us for years to come.

  • Ted Sexauer, Sonoma CA February 11, 2011 (9:53 pm)

    Ron was my cousin, about half a generation ahead of me. I think that I saw in him what everyone in these comments saw–a wise, gentle, cheerful, engaged man, a leader of the best kind, a man of broad curiosity, a warm lover of life and of progress. Only 75, why do the best among us die so young? The world, not just West Seattle, was enriched by his presence.

    I’ll echo words I’ve seen in your pages-Ron was, indeed, at heart a teacher-he saw every event as a teachable moment, and he knew how to draw people to discovery of the lessons for themselves.

    An element of his historical community work that I particularly admired was his cross-generational approach, involving teens and young adults with seniors…

    Members of my family had an apparently rare visit with Ron and Sherry this past August, and I was once more inspired, not only by their love and support for each other, but by the gracious way they cooperated, how he gently allowed her to fill in the words that occasionally escaped his speech. Wooden ‘HOPE’ cutouts everywhere, joining the ‘PEACE’ cutouts already all around the house.

    I have tears as I write these words. They were, shall I say are, a truly magnificent couple. Blessings to you, Sherry. Rest in peace, Cousin Ron. Hope, indeed.

  • Jacqueline February 12, 2011 (6:33 am)

    Sherry: So sorry for your loss. RON will be missed!

  • Fred Willis February 16, 2011 (7:45 am)

    Our dear friend Ron was the ringleader of the gang of buddies from Garfield High School class of ’53 who luncheoned regularly at the Attic Tavern in Madison Park. He assembled us patiently and regularly to keep fresh our common history, some of it dating from gradeschool (McGilvra).
    I feel very privileged to have been in that circle and to have been one of Ron’s many good friends.

  • Douglas Boushey February 16, 2011 (6:42 pm)

    I have worked at five schools and four school districts. I met many giants along the way. Ron Richardson ranks at the top. As an educator he was passionate and dedicated. As a person, he was a kind and wise listener. As a man he led others with his core values and his mind was always open and learning. As a friend he was honest and trustworthy. What a special opportunity to have met and worked with Ron. Blessings to his family.

  • Laurie Petroske February 17, 2011 (8:32 pm)

    Cousin Ron kept our family abreast of our history through annual Christmas Cards of various residences in Seattle over the years. I will always remember him fondly, especially while playing softball at our family reunion! He always had a caring, listening attitude in hearing stories of our lives, experiences, and goals with a sincere interest. He was an inspiration and will always be remembered fondly by my son and I, with the utmost respect! Much love to you, Sherry.

  • Heidi February 26, 2011 (5:26 pm)

    I have enjoyed so many stories from Ron over coffee, I am very sad about this news and give my best wishes to his family. Every memory I have of Ron makes me smile…what a sweet and gracious man.

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