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Ron LeValley Obituary
June 4, 2022
Mendocino, California - Ronald Reid LeValley passed away on June 4, 2022 in Mendocino, California. Born in Sacramento January 1, 1947, to Ray and LaVohn LeValley, Ron lived a big and beautiful life sharing his love for the natural world with everyone he touched.
Ron graduated from El Camino High School and American River College, then joined the US Coast Guard. He received his B.A. in Biology from Sacramento State College in 1969 and his M.A. in Biology from Humboldt State University in 1980.
Ron founded Biological Journeys, an ecotourism company and led tours throughout Alaska, Mexico, South America, the high Arctic, even ranging as far afield as Africa and Australia.
Ron met Linda Doerflinger in 1978 at a garbage dump while looking for a rare gull. They were married in 1982. The next year, they welcomed their first son, Dylan. The family was complete upon adopting Harvey in 1989. Somehow, Ron found time to coach Dylan and Harvey's little league teams and tend to a life-long love of the San Francisco Giants.
In Humboldt county, Ron started Mad River Biologists, providing environmental and wildlife consulting services throughout Northern California. A founding member of the Pacific Seabird Group and Western Field Ornithologists, Ron later moved to Mendocino and was a co-founder of the Mendocino Coast Photography Gallery. He served as a scientific advisor to the Noyo Center for Marine Science and as an avid photographer, continued giving many talks and presentations.
Ron was predeceased by his father, Ray, and his brother, Bruce. He is survived by his mother, LaVohn, his sisters Sandy, Patti and Nancy, his sons Dylan and Harvey, his partner Charlene, and his grandson Jude (who was born on Ron's 73rd birthday)! Because of Ron, this week thousands of people will see a bird, butterfly, or chipmunk and appreciate that we share the world with them.
Donations in his name can be made to the Noyo Center for Marine Science or any environmental organization of your choice. For further info and pending memorial, see Ron LeValley's Facebook page.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ron LeValley
3 Entries
Richard Podolsky
November 21, 2023
I was in Ron´s marine birds and mammals class at OIMB. He was an inspirational teacher and a warm and loving human being. He had a beautiful and mischievous smile. He was a super birder too.
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Wendy from Texas
November 18, 2022
I am so grateful to Uncle Ron for giving my Dad the binoculars and the book on birds. My very favorite moments with him were sitting quitely on the back porch watching him watch the sky as we sat quietly with coffee. My favorite moment with Ron was in my Dad's back yard as well. Sitting quietly watching the sky. I remember saying to him "you are so much like my Dad". He reached over and hugged me really big and thanked me. I just saw this. All my love to everyone.
Lina Carro
August 20, 2022
I am grateful to have enjoyed a warm and enduring friendship with dear Ron. The knowledge he taught me about the natural world, like our friendship, become an important part of who I am today. Thank you, Ron, for capturing nature's beauty in your art and your words for the world to discover, and for the sparkle and easy laughter you brought to so many like me. You are loved.
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