Ronald Stockdale

Ronald Stockdale, age 83, of University Place, WA died Friday, June 30, 2017 after several months of hospitalization due to complications following hernia surgery. Generous and caring, he was dearly loved by family and friends.

A celebration of his life in a memorial service will be held Saturday, July 22 at 1 p.m. at University Place Presbyterian Church, 8101 27th Street West in University Place, WA. Remembrances can be made to the General Fund at the ARK Institute of Learning.

Born in Aplington April 28, 1934, he was the youngest child of C.R. and Mildred Stockdale. His twin brothers, Robert and Eugene, preceded him in death while his sister, Marilyn, survives. Ron’s warm memories of childhood included working with his father on the family farm, excelling at sports - especially as a pitcher in baseball - and hunting pheasants with his cousin.

Ron was raised in the Aplington Presbyterian Church where he developed his faith in Christ that sustained him all his life and to his death. After graduating in a class of 27 from Aplington High School, Ron attended the University of Dubuque, where he played on the basketball team, threw javelin in track and met Carol Hermeier, also a freshman. Drafted into the Army after his sophomore year, he was fortunate to be stationed in Tokyo, and to pitch baseball for his service team.

After completing his Army service in 1956, Ron became a Hawkeye by enrolling at the University of Iowa. He and Carol had exchanged hundreds of letters to bridge their years of separation. Now they could be together. They married December 23, 1956, beginning a joy-filled journey that continued for 60 years and six months.

Ron and Carol moved to Chicago, IL after his college graduation. He passed the C.P.A. exam and began his career as an auditor for Arthur Andersen & Co. In the spirit of the times, he wore a hat, suit, tie and starched white shirt each working day of the year. The joyous arrival of sons Bryan (1960) and Russell (1962) made the travel that went with auditing increasingly undesirable. Several of his clients were wholesale grocery companies, which led to the 1963 offer to become Chief Financial Officer of Super Foods Services in Bellefontaine, OH.

The next career step took the family west. During Christmas week in 1966, the family moved to Boise, ID where Ron became Controller for Mountain States Wholesale. Third son, Paul, completed the family in July of 1967. In 1969, after responding to an ad in the Wall Street Journal, Ron was offered the job of Controller at West Coast Grocery in Tacoma, WA. He felt honored to work with the Hyde family who owned the company and to locate permanently in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Ron held several roles with West Coast Grocery, eventually including that of President. At the request of the Hyde family, he facilitated the sale of West Coast Grocery to Super Valu and continued with that company until his retirement in 1990.

Ron had a huge heart and was deeply dedicated to his family, his friends and his faith. As a loving and encouraging father, he faithfully cheered for his sons while attending their activities and sporting events without fail. He was a caring and helpful husband, encouraging Carol in her role as mother, teacher of children with dyslexia and other learning disorders, and in her dream of successfully completing a doctorate degree in her late 60s. Ron supported Carol in her work at Another Door to Learning and later helped found the ARK Institute of Learning and to build its offices.

After retirement, Ron remained active in the financial community. He greatly enjoyed informal investment groups of close friends. For 25 years Carol and he spent part of every year at their home in Soldotna, AK. It spoiled him for fishing anywhere else.

From his many activities and the places where he had lived and traveled, Ron enjoyed a broad circle of friends with whom he stayed in touch. Ron was firmly committed to “The Friday Morning Group.” These men gathered for study, prayer and mutual support for over 42 years.

Additionally, he was a faithful member of his church throughout his life, including 48 years at University Place United Presbyterian Church, where he served in many capacities, including as elder and treasurer. Ron also valued his participation and service with The Board of Trustees of the University of Dubuque, The Board of Trustees of San Francisco Theological Seminary, the Financial Executives Institute, and the Select Ventures Investment Group.

He leaves his beloved sons and equally beloved daughters-in-law and grandchildren, including Bryan (Dianna), Russell (Kristi) and Paul (Sheila) and grandchildren Daniel, Garrett, Katie, Rachel, Mark and Harrison. Also left is his much loved special daughter, Zhang Meng (Ma Yong and Cheng Cheng). And he leaves his wife, Carol, with whom he shared the joys of everyday life and adventures of travel throughout the world.