Ron Rhondeau

Ron Rhondeau

June 27, 1935 -September 2, 2010

Exactly four months after his diagnosis of and brave battle against the most aggressive form of brain cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, Ron Rhondeau passed away on Thursday, September 2, 2010, at the University of Virginia Medical Center.

Ron was born on June 27, 1935, in Bronx, New York, the son of Jack and Rosella Rhondeau, and grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, where he attended school and graduated from Idaho State University. He married the love of his life, Carolyn, on October 31, 1958, with whom he spent 51 happy years. They moved to Napa, California, in 1969, where they reared their sons Steven, Lamont, and Christopher.

During his life, Ron worked as a painter in Pocatello, and spent time before his marriage in the United States Army. But he will be fondly remembered by those who were his students and colleagues, as a teacher in the Napa Valley Unified School District for 32 years excelling primarily in teaching mathematics and coaching at Redwood Middle School. He was a natural teacher, possessing a rare blend of discipline, humor, and unusual common sense, and his students thrived under his tutelage.

His greatest legacy, however, will always be his family. He reared his sons with integrity, and was a constant and sure example of sacrifice and diligence. But his most important gift to them was one of unconditional love and his unremitting attention and optimism in their lives. These attributes are seen everyday in the lives his children now try to lead in honor of him. He was a real man in a world that has too few examples of the deeper meaning of that phrase.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn; and his sons, Dr. Steven Rhondeau and his wife, Susan, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Lamont Rhondeau and his wife, Julia, of Crozet, Virginia; Christopher Rhondeau of Washington, D.C.; and seven grandchildren, Elizabeth, Olivia, Naomi, Daniel, Madeleine, Nathaniel, and Lucas. His three brothers, one sister, and a sister in-law, also survive Ron. He had many nieces, nephews, and loving friends and neighbors with whom he enjoyed and loved spending time.

Final arrangements were by the Anderson Funeral Home of Crozet, Virginia.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.