Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Ronald Milton Graham

About

George Washington University University of Washington

Ronald Graham Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Ronald Milton Graham
Start: 2023-10-07T14:00:00.000Z
Location: Columbia Presbyterian Church

RONALD GRAHAM
September 29, 1936 ˜ August 14, 2023

Ronald Milton Graham, 86, died peacefully surrounded by family on Aug. 14, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. He was a beloved surgeon in Vancouver for over 50 years and will be greatly missed by his family, colleagues, and community. Ronald grew up in Aberdeen, WA, with his two older brothers, Kenneth and Charles. He attended college at the University of Washington and medical school at George Washington University. Ronald loved helping and mentoring others. He enjoyed spending time in the outdoors hiking, fly fishing, and backpacking in the Pacific Northwest. Ronald is survived by his wife, Roberta; sons, Glenn and Richard; their partners, Sue and Lisa, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Wilhelmina; and by his older brother, Kenneth II.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. at Columbia Presbyterian Church, 805 Columbia Ridge Dr., Vancouver, WA 98664.

Please share a memory @ www.columbian.com/obits

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbian on Aug. 23, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Graham

14 Entries

Jim Scarborough

August 15, 2025

I still think of Ron every day of my life. He was a wonderful friend and partner in surgery and had an inspirational love of life, living and learning. Ron, I miss you my friend.

Jim Scarborough

December 20, 2024

Ron is still in my thoughts daily.

Jim Scarborough

August 16, 2024

It has now been a year since Ron's passing and he remains in my thoughts every day. He was a wonderful friend and he continues to influence my life every day.

Jim Scarborough

October 5, 2023

I first met Ron when I joined Columbia Surgical Group in 1978. After we came to Vancouver, he and Roberta were always available to help Kathy and I settle in any way they could.
I quickly became aware of the many characteristics that made Ron so well liked at the office and hospital and I quickly came to consider him one of my best friends. Ron loved life. He genuinely cared about others. He was modest to a fault, and capable of tackling any problem.
We spent many full difficult nights together in the operating room and he was always not just an excellent surgeon, but always calm, practical and considerate of others.
If I could describe Ron in a word, it would be rock steady and totally reliable.
The love for his family was always apparent. He took absolute delight in the accomplishments of both Glen and Richard, their wives and his grandchildren. He showed his love for Roberta through the devoted care he gave her in the last years of his life.
He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman, whether it was duck hunting, fishing or hiking. His love for exploration of knowledge was evident through the books he read and we shared together.
I learned so much from him through the years of working beside him, observing how he approached problems, treated others, and by accompanying him on fishing and hiking trips.
His energy and stamina were amazing. I last saw Ron less than 2 weeks before his passing and he was as energetic and vibrant as ever.
I will miss Ron, but the valuable lessons he taught me about life will always be a part of me and I will be forever thankful for his friendship.

Jim Scarborough

Robert Douglass

October 4, 2023

It is difficult to find just the right words to pay appropriate tribute to my long time partner, colleague, mentor, and friend Ron Graham.
He was always there to lend a hand, listen, discuss, counsel, or to just visit and pet the dog.
He was innately kind, decent, fair, and humble - and knowing him has had a positive effect on me. We scrubbed many surgeries together in past years, and saw each other frequently in more recent years as we lived close by. I will greatly miss those encounters with him. Ron was an admirable man and an admirable surgeon, and one I am lucky to have known.
My sincerest condolences to Roberta, Glen, and Rich

Kristy Graham Kauhanen Wicklund

October 4, 2023

We offer our sympathy to family and friends on Ron's passing. Growing up in Aberdeen and spending summers on Hood Canal as part of the Graham clan, we remember Ronnie (as we called him) as a friendly, kind, approachable man. Ronnie's dad, Kenneth, and our grandfather, Milton, were brothers and Ronnie was given "Milton" as his middle name. There was a close bond between uncle and nephew through numerous duck hunting and fishing expeditions. Ronnie followed his dad and uncle into medicine and we know that Ronnie was an excellent surgeon, as so many have written. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all who knew and loved him.
Sincerely, Keith, Kristy (Wicklund) and Gordy Kauhanen

Rich Hurst

September 24, 2023

We worked together for lots of years. Will remember his impish smile and laughter. He had a way of showing his care for patients and colleagues. He is missed.

Jenipher Storms

September 21, 2023

Dr Graham, I don't even know where to start. You were incredibly kind, extremely patient, and so full of knowledge that you willingly shared. You didn't just offer advice for work in the OR, but in life, the outdoors, and keeping our families happy. Your gentle ribbing was always a highlight, and our smile is indelibly marked on my heart as you made an incredible impact on my life personally and professionally. You are sorely missed, Sir.

Melissa Larango

August 29, 2023

I´m very sorry to hear of Dr. Graham´s passing. He was a very skilled and great surgeon with a a gentle humble spirit.... He was one of the first surgeons I worked with back in the 80´s when I first became a Nurse... he was a woderful teacher and was always invested in the lives of those he worked with and showed great respect for his colleagues! he will be greatly missed, and we will be forever grateful for his gifts he gave this world!

Tammy Hodge

August 26, 2023

So sorry for your loss.
I worked with Dr. Graham for many years what an amazing person and surgeon. I remember he gave me great advice for how my daughter could get in to college and what colleges we're looking for, we followed his advice and my daughter was able to go to the college of her choice and with many scholarships. Thank you Dr. Graham my daughter was the first person in the family to get a degree and a Master degree.

Jamie Westre

August 24, 2023

I am so sorry to hear this. My mom worked for him for many years. He was such a beautiful soul, very well loved and an excellent doc
Jamie Lobdell-Westre

Colleen Freidberg

August 24, 2023

Dear Roberta,
It's seems a lifetime ago since our bridge group formed. I know I've seen Ronnie since then but still I'm very sad to know that he's no longer with us. I always thought he was one of the sweetest people I knew.

Ron Kasco

August 23, 2023

Doc Graham, It was always a pleasure working with you in the OR at Salmon Creek, you always kept things pleasant and lite!

Jim Luce

August 23, 2023

Ron - It was only a week ago I was walking and saw you working in your yard, and we had as neighbors for 50 years a brief and pleasant chat. You were a good friend are missed.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results