Obituary of Ronald D. Wilder

Ronald Dean Wilder

Dec. 1, 1936 – Feb. 24, 2021

It is with great sadness that I share that our father, Ronald Dean Wilder, passed away February 24th with family by his side. He packed a lot into his 84 years.

He was the youngest of four, born December 1, 1936 in Albuquerque, NM later settling with family in Oregon. He graduated from Gresham High School and set off that fall for the University of Oregon where he joined his older brother Cecil, with whom they roomed together as freshman. While in college he served in the naval reserve and liked to brag of his strong constitution, withstanding turbulence during a submarine trip passing through the Columbia bar, all while eating a steak in the mess hall while most of his young fellow submariners were seasick. His iron stomach was proven time and time again on various ocean, and fishing trips as well as amusement park rides.

He enlisted in the army and was stationed in Germany, using that time as to see historic locales in Europe and experimenting with his camera. He was an avid photographer and many photographs show him with a camera around his neck. During one of his leaves in Spain he met Ernest Hemingway and got his autograph on a bullfighting program.

Upon his return to the states, he met and married our mom, moved to Montana, finished his master’s degree, and started a family- Ron and Carolee. Though they later divorced, Mom and Dad were civil and friendly at family gatherings and during the holidays.

Ronald loved a lot of things-fishing, swimming, a good steak, motorcycles, football (Ducks and 49ers), the Trailblazers, animals, beer, and photography. Animals would clammer to be near him and sit on his lap, which is a great measure of character and kindness. He is survived by his son Ron E. Wilder (Tiffany) and daughter Carolee Zavala (Francisco) and five grandchildren.

He will be laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery. The Family hopes to have a Celebration of Life in the summer.