Ronald Lee Abitz

Ronald Lee Abitz son to Edwin and Dolores Abitz, younger brother to Nancy (Howard), and older brother to Debbie (Pifer) was born on October the 1st 1945 in Wausau Wisconsin. Shortly after his birth the family moved from Wisconsin to Sunnyside Washington where Ron would spend his childhood and adolescent years. A graduate of Sunnyside Highschool in 1964, Ron would begin his young adult life attending college, however that was not the path he was meant to travel. Raised to be a patriot he decided to serve his country in the United States Navy, enlisting as an Avionics Technician in March 1965. During his four-year enlistment Ron would meet and befriend Wilson Saunders, a Shipmate who served aboard the USS Independence with Ron. Traveling from port to port in the Mediterranean Sea during two cruises Ron and Willie became close and would stay in contact through the years as life-long friends, the family would later come to know him as Uncle Willie. After exiting the Navy in April 1969 Ron would settle down in Portland Oregon. Returning to college and completing his Associates degree in electronics his life after the military was just beginning. While attending church he would meet his wife Linda of 45 years, marrying her in February 1973 they would begin their life together, moving from Portland to Vancouver, together they would raise four boys, guiding them to become men who know and love Jesus, and begin their own relationships with the same Savior Ron knew and loved. Ron and Linda would start their family in 1974 with the addition of their first son William (Debbie), followed by Benjamin, Joseph (Jamie), and end having Daniel (Cindy). Raising children of their own Ron would come to be known as Papa to his 11 grandchildren. Near the end of his life on earth Ron suffered from TIA's and other symptoms related to a neurodegenerative disease which is still undetermined. Because of these symptoms, the hospital requested, and the family donated Ron's brain to be used for neurodegenerative disease research at OHSU hospital. It is requested that if you plan on sending flowers, you would instead give a tax deductible gift, which you can do online, by following the link below: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/foundation/way-to-give/index.cfm Ron is remembered by his wife, his sons and their families, his sisters and their families, and friends. A memorial celebrating his life and his arrival to heaven will be held at Felida Bible Church 3027 NW 119th ST Vancouver, WA 98685.

Ronald Lee Abitz

October 1, 1945 - July 31, 2018