Ronald J Oberhauser

1940 - 2025

Ronald, "Ron," or "Obe," J. Oberhauser, 84, of Soldotna and Eagle River, Alaska, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at home in Eagle River. Ron was born on October 18, 1940 in Wasika, Minnesota to Agnes (née Grubner) and Elmer Lund. After their mother passed, Ron and his two older siblings lived in a Catholic orphanage until 1947 when the three were adopted by Florence and Henry Oberhauser of LaPorte City, IA. Growing up, Ron spent his time helping on the farm, reading, and developing his lifelong love of the outdoors, fishing, and hunting.

Ron graduated from Don Bosco High School in Gilbertville, Iowa, and attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa until he joined the Air Force where he served proudly for four years. After his time in the Air Force, he enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa and completed his Bachelor's Degree. Later, Ron owned his own auto shop in Port Angeles, Washington, worked as a teacher on St. Paul Island, a mechanic for Reeve Aleutian Airlines and FedEx, and as a fishing guide. His time with Reeve allowed him to hunt and fish in all parts of Alaska including taking his daughter to Cold Bay to hunt geese and fish remote streams for silver salmon.
In 1984, while living in Port Angeles, Washington, Ron, his wife, and daughter drove to Alaska in his 1960s GMC truck and camper for a "2-week" fishing vacation. The two weeks became four, and eventually the family found a home while Ron traveled back to Washington to quickly pack their belongings for their permanent move to Alaska. Ron fished and hunted all over Alaska. He made friends on every adventure, happily sharing his knowledge and catch to others. His passion for fishing, hunting, and telling stories was limitless. He loved revealing his "top secret" tips and taught countless family members, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers how to catch fish.

Ron remembered learning to read at a very young age by being read to first by the nuns, and later by his mother Florence. When he couldn't be fishing, he was reading or watching documentary after documentary about history. He believed no one is ever too old or too young to learn about the past that shaped our present.
Ron, "Obe," was a proud father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Phyllis Oberhauser, daughter Rhonda Hala (Scott Hala); grandchildren Tyler Flowers (Bell Prungkiat) and Addison Hala; his stepchildren Michelle Cooper (Denny Cooper), Homer "Dan" Heaton (Celia Heaton), Christine McBride (James "Jim" McBride), Connie Gerard, Roy Heaton and 11 step grandchildren. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his parents Florence and Henry, brother LeRoy Oberhauser, and sister Diane Olson.

Whether he was known as Ron, or Obe, he left an imprint on everyone he encountered. His humor, intelligence, and wisdom will be missed, but his memories will forever be in our hearts. His legacy lives on with every fish caught by the people he helped and in the hearts of all those that loved him and his stories.
A memorial to celebrate Ron's life will be held on April 25, 2025 at 12:30pm at Janssen's Eagle River Funeral Home located at 16421 Brooks Loop, Eagle River, Alaska. Ron will be inurned at Fort Richardson National Cemetery