Ronald M. ROLSTAD Sr.

Ronald M. ROLSTAD, Sr. Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather passed away suddenly Sept. 14th, 2010. Ron was married for the past 30 years to Carolyn and leaves behind children Kathy, Ron Jr., Doug and Ronell, grandchildren Ryan, Laura, Alex, Tyler, Nicolas and Katy. Brother of Betty, Jeanne, Cheryl,Martin, Vera, Mark and Joanna. Ron was born in Minneapolis Minnesota Feb. 22, 1938. He was the oldest child of Melvin and Ruth Rolstad. The family decided to move to Seattle in 1945. They moved initially to Seabeck WA. Eventually settling in Rainier Valley. Ron graduated from Franklin High in 1956. Ron started to play Ice Hockey as a youth, cleaned ice and was a 'rink rat' to pay for ice time. He continued playing in leagues into his mid-forties. He coached and mentored his son Ron Jr. and Grandson Alex. In 1960 he attended his first drag race at Arlington Raceway. Within a year he was driving different classes and eventually made his way to AA fuel dragster. He gained national attention and set records while driving many well known cars including the Green Dragon and the Saturn V. Many of the people that raced with Ron recognized him as 'fearless', a great competitor and true sportsman. Ron stopped racing in the mid 70's. Ron and Carolyn loved boating and spending time with family and friends on the 'Brass Tacks'. Ron was an active member of the Queen City Yacht Club and served as Commodore in 1992. In 1958 he began working out of the family garage doing roll and pleat interiors. This lead to career stops at Sure Fit and Durham Upholstery before opening Ron's Auto on Fairview and eventually moving the shop to Westlake. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity in Ron's memory. We will honor him at a ceremony Friday, September 24, 2010, 2:00 p.m. at Queen City Yacht Club, 2608 Boyer Ave. E, Seattle 98102. Please sign the online guestbook at columbiafuneralhome.com.