Dr. Ronald Alan Cordes

1943 - 2025

Dr. Ronald Alan Cordes, a man of boundless curiosity, intellectual brilliance, and adventurous spirit, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025, at the age of 81. His life, a vibrant tapestry of global exploration, scholarly achievement, and deep devotion to his family, will be celebrated at a Celebration of Life on June 28, 2025, at his beloved home in Rigby, Idaho, shared with his late wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Cordes.

Born on August 12, 1943, in Rockford, Illinois, Ron's early years hinted at the extraordinary path he would forge. His academic prowess led him to Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, followed by an M.S., Ph.D., and Juris Doctorate from UC Berkeley's Boalt School of Law. Honored with prestigious scholarships and national awards from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Ron's career was marked by innovation. He served as a scientific advisor to Iran's Department of Environmental Conservation, an attorney, and Vice President of Plasma Quench Technologies, Inc., securing landmark grants, including a National Science Foundation SBIR and a National Institute of Standards and Technologies ATP grant.

Ron's true passion was fly fishing, which took him to the wilds of Rhodesia, Nepal, New Zealand, and beyond. His encounters-battling tigerfish at Lake Kariba, dodging spitting cobras, or sharing moments with a wounded elephant-became legendary. As an editor for Fly Fisherman Magazine and Fly-Fishing Heritage, and author of Lake Fishing with a Fly and the Cordes/LaFontaine Pocket Guide series, Ron inspired countless anglers. His article "The Classic Battle" sparked a lifelong friendship with Jay Rowland, who credited Ron with transforming his life through fishing and camaraderie.

Ron's heart belonged to his wife, Betty, whom he married on January 1, 1980. He believed his life's purpose was to care for her through her long battle with illness, a mission he fulfilled with unwavering love. Their Rigby home was a haven where he fed bald eagles and welcomed wildlife like Daisy the Canada goose. Ron's reflections on aging and cancer, shared in his memoir, revealed a spirit that remained forever young, urging his granddaughters to embrace love and adventure.

Ron is survived by his daughters Shae McEntire (married to Curtis McEntire of Draper, UT) and Jill Heald (married to David Heald of Fort Myers, FL), five grandchildren, and devoted caretakers Tammy Davis and Debi Waddell, whose compassion sustained him in his final years. His legacy endures in his writings, friendships, and the love he poured into his family.

The Celebration of Life on June 28, 2025 from 11 am to 2 pm, at 738 N. 3750 East, Rigby, ID 83443, will honor Ron's remarkable journey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a favorite charity or one that reflects Ron's love for nature and animals. As Ron wrote, life's moments may be "lost in time... like tears in the rain," but his spirit-adventurous, kind, and eternal-will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.