Ronald Allen Weissinger

Ronald A. Weissinger, 73, of La Veta, Colo., embarked upon his final adventure on Aug. 13, 2025. He passed away at one of his most cherished places, within the walls of Wahatoya Canyon tucked between the Spanish Peaks.

Born on June 12, 1952 in Corpus Christi, Texas, Ron's insatiable wanderlust emerged early in life. From a young age, he was captivated by the world's diverse cultures, landscapes, and the thrill of the unknown. He was a person who truly lived, embracing every opportunity to explore, learn, and immerse himself in the wilderness-both near and far.

A graduate of Richfield High School in Waco, Ron later attended McLennan Community College and Stephen F. Austin State University before embarking on a life of global exploration. Ron's adventurous spirit led him across continents and oceans. Whether it was hiking and skiing in the Rockies, trekking the Himalayas and Sagarmatha, navigating the Coral Sea on his sailboat, the A.S.D.I.P., conducting land surveys on Alaska's North Slope, or exploring the seafloors and remote African and Arabian deserts in search of petroleum, he approached each journey with an unyielding curiosity. His 45 years of work as a navigation and survey consultant included early adoption of GPS technologies that led to jobs with Exxon, Pemex, British Petroleum, and Saudi Aramco. Stories and photographs from these travels were countless and captivating, as he loved to set up a slide projector upon his return to share images from the adventures with friends and family.

Known by many as "Waco," Ron had a particular fondness for the mountains and the serene beauty of alpine vistas. It was these places that shaped his perspective and deepened his appreciation for life. Beginning with Boy Scouts and later as a teen Explorer Scout, Ron's passion for the outdoors and respect of Mother Nature led to him becoming one of the earliest instructors for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Lander, Wyo. Working alongside like-minded individuals was among his greatest joys, sharing his knowledge of leadership and logistics in the wilderness, and outdoor medicine and survival skills across numerous expeditions spanning the Wind River Range to the Sea of Cortez. Ron also had a love for downhill skiing-especially on his telemark skis-and spent many winters serving as an instructor with several Colorado resorts, sharing his knowledge with beginners with the hopes they, too, would take to the sport.

Beyond the incredible destinations, Ron cherished the connections forged on the road. The friendships made with locals, fellow travelers, and those met along the way were deeply valued and considered a treasured aspect of his journeys.

Ron was not just a traveler; he was also an avid photographer, a gifted storyteller, and a passionate advocate for protecting the untamed wilderness. He believed that "the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." Uncle Ronnie shared his love for the outdoors with all his nephews, taking them on backcountry expeditions deep into Yellowstone and island-hopping along Australia's Great Barrier Reef on his sailboat. He also made every effort to ski with his nephews and godsons, planning weeklong trips in search of fresh powder.

He was preceded in death by his father, the Rev. Robert "Bob" Carl Weissinger, his grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Ron is survived by his mother, Betty Weissinger, of Abilene, Texas; sister Deniece Weissinger (Allison Spruill) of Cedar Park, Texas; sister Judith (Richard) Smith of Lenexa, Kans.; nephews Benjamin Troja, Jake Troja, Kurt Mogonye, Jon-Erik Mogonye, Andrew Cook, Adam Smith and Brady Smith; godsons William and Jack Buzze; and special longtime friends, Sharon and Bill Buzze of Waco, Texas. He is also survived by many special aunts and cousins, and cherished friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of "Waco" to NOLS, 284 Lincoln St., Lander, WY 82520.

May Ron's spirit continue to explore the unknown, forever free and embracing the endless journey that is life.

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