October 26, 1953 — February 27, 2006
, longtime San Francisco resident, died at the age of 52 on February 27 in Marin County.
Ron was born in Crescent City, California, and also lived in Santa Rosa and other Northern California communities. As a young man, Ron circulated in San Francisco's counter-cultural scene. He was a 1978 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, earning an A.B. degree in English. An articulate, well-read man of fascinating contrasts, Ron was a passionate lover of classical music (especially the pipe organ) and a keyboard player, while also being seriously devoted to his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, "Sinful Gypsy." An unfortunate disabling injury in the 1980s affected Ron's health and spirit for the remainder of his life.
Ron is survived by a half-brother in Portland and other relatives. He will also be remembered by friends and acquaintances in San Francisco's gay leather, biker and bear communities, especially Shelby Cullom, Don "Bear" Nichols, and Larry Foard.
Private interment was in Colma. A memorial service of thanksgiving for Ron's life will be celebrated in Grace Cathedral's Chapel of Grace, California and Taylor streets, San Francisco, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22.