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Ronald D. Workman

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University of Arizona University of Minnesota

Ronald Workman Obituary

Ron passed away early Wednesday morning, July 8, 2015, peacefully at his Carmichael, California home, surrounded by his wife, two daughters and brother. Born in Fargo, North Dakota, Ron was the son of a prairie farmer and country school teacher. His interest in the medical profession blossomed at a young age. As a 17-year-old, he won the Minnesota State Science Fair in chemistry for his display on analytical electrophoresis. Ron graduated with honors from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. He then went on to graduate first in his medical school class at the University of Minnesota. He completed his internship, residency and a fellowship at the University of Minnesota Hospitals. Ron, a practicing pathologist and physician executive, was a leader of his professional community. He was President of the Compass Group of Laboratory Leaders and previous Chair of Leadership Development for the governing board of the College of American Pathologists. During his career, Ron led the pathology and laboratory services of three integrated health systems including Sutter Health in Sacramento, CA; St. Francis Health System in Pittsburgh, PA; and Community Medical Centers in Fresno, CA. He also presided as chief operating officer of a 350-member multispecialty physician group and chief operating officer of a multisite commercial laboratory. Ron most recently served as the Medical Director for Sutter Delta Medical Center, Antioch, CA and he was the Managing Principal of Bay Pathology Medical Group. From 2000-2012, Ron was Vice President, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Sutter Health. Ron also added "author" to his curriculum vitae, having already published one novel. His second novel is scheduled to publish posthumously this year. Ron is survived by his loving family: wife, Diana; their two daughters Katherine Simpson of Boulder, CO and Christine Denman of San Diego, CA; his brother Larry Workman of Medford, OR and two young grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Aug. 8, 2015, in Sacramento. For additional information, please email dworkman@ surewest.net.

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

Published by The Sacramento Bee on Jul. 10, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Workman

18 Entries

Wayne Stevenson

July 4, 2023

You will be missed.

November 13, 2015

Shocked to hear of his passing.love and best wishes go out to his family,Mary O'Carroll

P. Q. Ravano, M.D.

July 30, 2015

Diane, Katherine and Christine,
My heartfelt condolences in Dr. Workman's passing. I worked with Dr. Workman as an associate pathologist at St. Francis Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I shall pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

July 28, 2015

Diana,
I worked with Ron at St Francis and will always remember what a mentor he was to me.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls.
Shelly Lewis

Enid Andreasen

July 28, 2015

As a classmate and friend of "Ronnie", I was very saddened to learn of his passing. I'm so glad we had the opportunity to reconnect again several years ago at a class reunion where he commented it was great to hear himself called "Ronnie" as no one had called him that for a long time!! It was also fun to exchange emails with him and learn more about his life and family, but I had no idea until I read his obituary how accomplished he really was. As someone else mentioned, it was kindness, cheerfulness, and humility that was his presence, and that is how I'll remember him. My sincerest condolences to Ron's family.

Enid Dahl Andreasen

Anna Rodriguez

July 24, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ken Boyajian

July 22, 2015

Diana:

All of us the tennis club in Fresno were saddened to hear of Ron's passing.
Many of us have found memories of Ron; in Fresno as well as on our fun trips to Carmel.
For myself personally; Ron was a great human being who was a welcome breath of fresh air anytime he was around.
I remember like it was yesterday when he introduced you to our group in Carmel.Ron was all smiles and happy once again.
Although Ron's intellect was several steps above most of us, his kindness, cheerfulness and humility was there for everyone.
My heartfelt condolences to you and the family

Ken Boyajian

Mary Beth Mikrut

July 18, 2015

Chas and I are saddened by the loss of Ron at such a young age. He truly fought valiantly over the past year and a half. Our hearts and prayers are with Diana and his two daughters, as well as his brother.

July 16, 2015

To Ron's Family, We are friends and classmates from his hometown of Borup, MN. Words can't express how sad we are to lose our special guy Ron. As we grew up he was always at the top of our class and was reserved as a young man.We are so impressed with all his wonderful contributions to the world of medicine. Our memories will give us all strength to go one. You are in our prayers.
Arlis and Wayne Stevenson

July 16, 2015

Larry so sorry to hear of Ron's passing saw him at Borup school reunion a few years ago Bonnie{Boit} Nepstad

July 13, 2015

Dear Diana and family, I had the extreme pleasure of working with Dr. Workman at Sutter Health from 2004 to 2008. I considered him a mentor and one of the best leaders I have ever had the honor of learning from. Working on his team was one of my best work life experiences. I will remember him always.
Sincerely,
Nancy Odell

Juna Brown

July 13, 2015

My deepest sympathy, I worked with Dr. Workman back in the 1980-90's didn't have a clue what pathology was about, but he was always willing to teach & answer my silly questions.

His biggest joy were his 2 girls, Katherine & Christine, he shared that he took the girls horse backpacking with Dr. David R. Taylor's two girls. He would just beam about his special times with his children, what are great father, what wonderful memories he created for himself & them.

He was a great man who inspired others.

My condolences to the family.

Barbara Joye

July 13, 2015

Diana, my deepest sympathies to you, to the girls and to the entire family on the loss of your confidant, your leader, your best friend.

Patty Sisson

July 13, 2015

Diana, I know Ron was a special man because he married such a special woman. I so appreciated Ron's insight when helping us fine tune our customer's messaging. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Sean Darcy

July 12, 2015

Ron was a very special person and an especially good friend. I was always amazed at Ron's intellect and grace even during the toughest of circumstances. I'll miss my friend terribly.

My heartfelt condolences to the family.

Sean Darcy

Lu Ann Chillemi

July 12, 2015

No words can express my feelings for your loss. My deepest sympathy to the entire family. Ron will be greatly missed.

Three amigos January 2015

Ronda Willis

July 10, 2015

Diana & family, My deepest condolences on the loss of Dr. Workman. I very much enjoyed working with him for 12 years. He was kind, fair, had a flair for using words I was constantly looking up in the dictionary, and loved his family very much. I will miss him dearly.

July 10, 2015

Ron was my mentor and "boss" when I joined Pathology Associates in 1988. We had kinship as Minnesotans. Ron and his family, including then-spouse Debra - and the excellent and friendly Pathologists Ron worked with; he built a great practice culture -- were welcoming, nurturing, great professional role models, and generally fine people. I remain in Pathology Associates in Fresno, but I have followed Ron's distinguished post-Fresno career. I encountered him occasionally here or there, and he was as gracious as ever. More recently, I had the chance to become acquainted with equally gracious spouse Diana, and to follow the family's growth through holiday cards and notes.

Ron made large contributions to Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in general, and in that also positively touched many of us along the way, for which we are grateful.

I know Ron will be greatly missed and so spouse Chris and I send our condolences to Ron's family for your loss.

David Slater (and Chris Hays-Slater)
Pathology Associates
Fresno

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