KRUSE, Ronald William

August 4, 1940 — January 18, 2023

Ronald Kruse passed away (at the age of 82) on the afternoon of January 18, 2023, at Kelowna General Hospital painlessly, peacefully, and quietly with his one and only son Eric by his bedside. He was predeceased by Ronni, his wife of 49 years of marriage, in 2014; his mother Christine in 1995; and his father Fred in 1987. He is survived by his son, Eric.

Ron was born in San Francisco, California and was raised & grew up in the Bay Area region. He graduated from Mount Diablo High School in 1958 and San Jose State University in 1964. Ron married the love of his life, Ronni, in 1965. He went on to be an educator/teacher at Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, California from 1964 to 1992, in the social studies department on the subjects of American history, US government, and world civilizations. During this time, he contributed his knowledge and writings to help publish a school textbook on the history of the USA, which he would also use in his classroom teaching studies. His favorite President was FDR. Ronald was a proud union member, a well liked and respected teacher by his fellow co-workers and students alike. When Ron was still a school teacher in California, he would host a year-end holiday season party at his home every December for many of his high school teaching colleagues, it was always enjoyed by all that attended. A long-lasting childhood friendship was established in 1953 with his good friend Dave when they became school and neighborhood friends (they were also the best man in both of their respective weddings); they stayed in touch throughout the decades that followed, up to this present day.

Ron’s mother emigrated from Norway to the USA in 1912, when she was 4 years old (with her brother and mother – they missed by about a month sailing on the Titanic!); and, like his mother and son, Ron was very proud of his Norwegian family heritage. Ron with his wife, son, and mother immigrated to Canada in the summer of 1992, and made Kelowna, BC their new home. He became a dual citizen in 2000, and later in the year 2000 he and his wife Ronni went on a 6-week trip of a lifetime to visit Australia.

Ron loved trains and railways, working on his model railroading, reading various history books and biographies, military history, and geography. He enjoyed going on family road trip vacations in the summers, and old-time rock & roll music from the 50s & 60s (one of his all-time favorite movies was American Graffiti, which was of his generation). A cat lover, Ron treated them like family over the years. 35 mm camera photography was an interest (he was still using film up until a few years ago). Watching baseball games, war & western movies, police TV shows; wearing his favorite t-shirts; eating pizza; relaxing while having a cold beer with his friends; and spending time with his son Eric, were all loved pastimes. 

Beloved father, husband, brother-in-law, cousin, uncle, neighbor, and friend, Ronald will be greatly missed.

A small private memorial ceremony and celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson Society British Columbia.

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