Ronald H. Alvarado

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Ronald Alvarado Obituary

Alvarado, Ronald H.
77, passed away on September 9 after a courageous battle with cancer. The long-time Tempe resident was surrounded by his loving family. Born in San Bernardino, CA, Ron earned his BS degree from UC Riverside and his MS and Ph.D. from Washington State University. He began his career as a zoo-physiology professor at Oregon State University before moving to Arizona State in 1974. During his tenure at ASU, he also served as Department Chair, Associate Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and President of the Faculty Senate. In addition to his work at ASU, Ron served as a Program Director of Physiology with the National Science Foundation in Washington, DC. After a lifetime of teaching and research, Ron served as Associate Dean for ASU's College of Extended Education creating degree completion programs for adult learners. After retirement, he joined the Science faculty of the School of Liberal Studies as Professor Emeritus and was instrumental in the development of the general laboratories for ASU's Downtown Campus. His enthusiastic instruction led many students to become doctors and scientists. Ron continued to share his love of science by teaching elementary and high school students as a volunteer. Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Margaret and his brother, Michael. He is survived by his beloved wife, Gerry, his daughters Laura Alvarado Coady (Bill), Linda Valente (Bill), and Julie Ann Alvarado Dubek (Rich), his brother Jim, and sisters Shirley, Margaret and Loretta. Ron also leaves behind ten grandchildren: William, Dylan, Bethany, Logan, Landon, Alyssa, Mason, Brandon, Genevieve, & Hailey and many nieces and nephews. He will be remembered for his love of family, music, and for being an eternal student of life. A celebration of Ron's life will be held on Saturday, September 17th at 2 p.m. at the Tempe Women's Club at 1290 South Mill Avenue, Tempe. AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of the Valley.

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Sep. 13, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Alvarado

7 Entries

Michelle Oglesbee-Flores

September 24, 2011

I did not have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Alvarado, however I did know his daughter many, many years ago when they lived in Oregon, when he was working at Oregon State University. I think of Julie often and Julie, I am so very sorry to hear that your dad passed away. He sounds like he was a wonderful father and educator and that he touched many people during his time at the University.

My thoughts are with you, as always.

Michelle Oglesbee-Flores
[email protected]

Michael Alvarado

September 15, 2011

My uncle Ron........ what can I say? Let's start with as a kid I could always count on my uncle Ron & Aunt Gerry in coming several times year to my house and spending quality time with us. For example as child my brother and I always thought he was one of the smartest men ever...... because as children our uncle Ron figured out away to sneak sweets and big gulps from 7-11 without my aunt Gerry catching him for breakfast. As children looking with gleaming eyes wishing we would be able to do the same without our parents noticing........ our uncle Ron always gave us candy making us promise not to tell our mothers that we had a piece of candy before dinner. Our uncle Ron was truly larger than life that genuinely cared for other people
with a charamastic smile always asking how you were. Our uncle to my brother and I was magical and always shared his knowledge with us growing up............our uncle Ron and our very own willy wonka that had the magic to convince my aunt Gerry candy was good for breakfast, simply amazing.

You will be missed, gone, but not forgotten...... because I just ate a candy bar before dinner!

Love,

Michael Alvarado

September 15, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. We will always remember your Dad for his sweet and kind demeanor. All our love,
Scott and Jennifer Bair

Trina Redtfeldt

September 15, 2011

Been thinking of you all during this difficult time....big hugs to you all! Especially Ju & Ger-bear! :)

September 14, 2011

My Auntie Virgie and Uncle Bobby lived next door to the Alvarado’s for several years. I spent many days and nights at their house growing up and remember seeing this intimidating figure one day walk out of the Alvarado house. At the time, I remember thinking how scary that must be to have him for a dad. Then one day I came face to face with Mr. Alvarado and thought OK, now what. I am sure I sheepishly said hello and got out of there as quickly as possible.

There is no way to measure how many lives he impacted by sharing his profound knowledge of Zoology, but something tells me there were many. You know the old saying about not telling a book by its cover. This was very true about Ron Alvarado. Over the years I came to know Ron as a gentle, soft spoken, kind hearted man, with almost a boyish type smile. He was nothing like that scary man that I had met years before and he will be missed.

Gerry and his girls, may you all find comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering and is in a better place.

May perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace.

Regards,

Duane Angulo & Family

Elaine Sweet

September 14, 2011

I send my deepest and sincerest sympathy to Gerry and the entire Alvarado family. I considered Ron a "one-of-a-kind" man. I listened to him, I learned from him, I laughed with him, and I always will be blessed by knowing him. He was the best "pain-in-the-butt" I ever knew. God Bless him!