1942-2016
Ron passed away at age 73 on Friday, March 4, 2016, at Harborview Hospital after a happy and charitable life. Ron was religious and went out a Catholic so he was at peace in the end. He will be truly missed by his family who dearly loved him. Ron was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, on March 15, 1942, to Ellen and Newman Waltz. Ellen passed away in 1946 when Ron was only four years old. After his mother died, his dad married Marie who raised and loved him along with his brothers and sisters. Being the oldest of seven children, he excelled in his role as the big brother. In 1953 the Waltz family moved to Everett, Washington, and Ron lived in the Seattle area ever since. After graduating Everett High School as Valedictorian, he served in the US Army in Germany. He then came home and completed college at PLU and Medical School at the UW. Ron ran his own family medical practice for 40 years where he made many lifelong friends and treated his patients like family. He had a deep desire to help others and loved serving his patients, which he did so until this past week.
What set Ron apart was his care and compassion for everyone he met and his infectious upbeat and positive attitude. Ron’s life was filled with hard work, dedication, family, friends, laughter, and a kindness hard to match. Ron was very adventuresome and loved the outdoors. He flew his own Yankee airplane for many years and enjoyed snow skiing, scuba diving, fly fishing, kayaking, river-rafting, and supporting his grandchildren. Ron and his wife Katie shared many of these passions with their children by taking them on numerous ski trips and also an epic river rafting trip down the Rogue River that his grandchildren will never forget.
Most of all Ron loved family and rarely missed a family event or get-together. Almost every relative benefitted from his generosity. He was always generous with his time and attended every event possible to watch his grandchildren participate. He attended countless baseball games, lacrosse games, soccer matches, swim meets, and volleyball matches. Deliveries of Christmas bread to friends and family was always a welcome treat. He was also gifted working with wood and enjoyed making items for others.
Ron was preceded in death by his mother Ellen Waltz (1946), father Newman Waltz (1982), granddaughter Corene Brown (1995), and stepmother Marie Waltz (2009). He is survived by his loving wife Katie Clack-Waltz; brothers Tom, Jim, and Bob; sisters Kathy Kerker, Daloris, and Nancy; daughters Maya Olivares (Orlando) and Carlene Brown (Cary); stepchildren Erin Reid (Jamie), Brian Clack, Megan Castello (Steve), and Jason Clack (Katie); grandchildren Caitlin, Cari, Cory, Gillian, Jake, Jett, Quinn, and Spencer; and others considered “family,” including Lori and Robin Lerner. All of us will miss him very much.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in memory of Ron can be made to Children’s Hospital. Children’s Hospital Foundation P.O. Box 5371, Seattle WA 98145
Katie is welcoming all family and friends to a celebration of Ron’s life. Please contact the family for service arrangements.
This Man is a Success
He has lived well,
Laughed often and loved much
He has gained respect of intelligent men
And the love of children
He has filled his niche
And accomplished his task
He leaves the world better than he found it;
Whether by improved poppy,
A perfect poem or a rescued soul
He never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty,
Or failed to express it
He looked for the best in others,
And gave the best he had . . .