Ronald D Nordeen's Obituary
Ronald D. Nordeen, 89, died peacefully at his home at Willamette View, Oak Grove on Saturday, July 23, 2022.
Ron was born August 22, 1932, in Provo, UT, the son of Harold D. Nordeen and Marjorie Spear Nordeen. The family moved to Rexburg, ID in 1936, returning to Provo ten years later. He spent his childhood skiing, camping, fishing, hunting, and exploring the many mountain ranges in the Utah Valley.
Ron graduated from Pomona College, Claremont, CA in 1954, with a degree in mathematics. His college days were very special to him, which provided many lifelong friends. Thank you, Bill S. and Walt K.! He served in the Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956, during the Korean Conflict as a flight simulator instructor at USMC El Toro Station, Orange County, CA.
In 1960, Ron married Barbara Webber in Portland, OR. They lived in Longview, WA for several years before moving to Claremont for Ron’s new career as the Development Director for Pomona College. He spent his 42-year career in the development/planned giving field. His career took the family to Davidson, NC; Kirkland, WA; Beaverton, OR; Stockton and Atascadero, CA; and finally, back to Clackamas County in 1995. In 1997, Ron was awarded the Presidents’ Special Recognition Award for founding the Willamette Valley Development Officers organization. He was known for bringing people together for a common good and mentoring colleagues and coworkers.
Ron loved to read, listen to classical and jazz music, build furniture (bookshelves were his speciality), attend Pomona College reunions, and play games and cards with his three young children. He shared his love of exploring, travel, and map reading with everyone. He always took the road less traveled, literally. Ron was active at Willamette View, focusing on philanthropy.
Ron had a wicked, older brother sense of humor that plagued his younger siblings and more recently, his hospice caregivers: Brandy, Susana, Elizabeth, Linda, and Serena. The family is grateful for their love and care of Ron. Go Team Nordeen! Thank you to the caregivers and staff at Willamette View Assisted Living, Bristol Hospice staff, Drs Burness and Cobb, and Caregiver Connection.
Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara W. Nordeen (1993), his parents and siblings (Nancy Cunningham and Peter Nordeen). He is survived by the love of his life, Ginna Jones; daughter Veronica; sons Chris and John; four nieces and their families; and members of Ginna’s family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:
Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) https://portlandyouthphil.org
Clackamas Community College Foundation – The Nordeen Family Endowment fulfills the needs of CCC’s Marshal N. Dana Library https://give.clackamas.edu/
A social service charity of your choosing
The committal service is at Willamette National Cemetery on Wednesday, August 24. Arrival time at the Administration Bldg for check-in and vehicle positioning is 1:00 p.m. Service starts promptly at 1:30 p.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m.
What’s your fondest memory of Ronald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ronald?
Share a story where Ronald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ronald you’ll never forget.
How did Ronald make you smile?