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Ronald Nelson Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Nelson
Ron in Yosmeite Park - 1984
Mark Coughlin
August 8, 2020
Having returned and now living in the U.S it's sad I won't be able to meet up with Ron again.
Annamarie Seibel
September 12, 2008
Dear Ron,
I was sadened when I heard you were gone. You were one of the most reliebale people I have ever worked with. I will always remember you. I hope that you have found peace.
~Annamarie
Stu Beattie
September 9, 2008
I first spent time with Ron in 1988 when we were paired doing the annual warehouse counts for MacPherson's audit. Ron's job, as we moved from shelf-to-shelf, was to call out the 8-12 digit item numbers off a list. My job was counting number of units for each item. At one point I looked up and realized that Ron had no list - he knew all the numbers by heart. In those days we had a 25,000 item inventory.
In subsequent years Ron would stop by periodically to chat, usually about how the company was doing or about ways we could better help our customers. He was proud of what his company had accomplished and his company was proud of Ron.
Jack Wayman
September 3, 2008
Ron was truly one of a kind. I'll never, never forget him.
If you were down, Ron would pick you up. If you were up, Ron would celebrate with you. If you needed help, Ron would drop everything, jump in and help. If you wanted to talk, Ron would listen. You could trust Ron with your secrets. Ron never forgot anything you ever talked about with him. Ron was loyal, and always had your back if he liked you. And Ron liked everyone!
I could go on and on, remembering Ron's attributes. They were endless. Ron and I loved talking about cars. He knew cars like he knew art supplies. You could bring up any make or model - foreign or domestic - and Ron would tell you something about it you didn't know.
I spent almost 24 years working and associating with probably over a thousand people who also associated with Ron. I never, EVER, heard anything but praise and compliments about the man! NEVER!
When looking up the meaning of "icon" in a dictionary, it should say only two words: Ron Nelson.
"Ron, I love you man! Thanks for always being there for me. I miss you terribly!"
George Bethurem
September 2, 2008
I knew Ron since he(and his brother Craig) first started working for MacPherson's 29 years ago. It was a shock for us all when he left the company. i was deeply saddened to hear of his passing away. I know his parents Ron and Darlene. My heart goes out to them. The things I'll miss most are calling Ron at work to conduct business and then having a good laugh about a former customer or employee that we both knew. I'll miss giving him his birthday present on December 23rd (a six pack of Coca-Cola in the Santa Claus bottles). I'll miss calling him from my car when a "seventies" soul song plays on the radio(we were both fans of KDIA!) I hope that right now Ron is sitting beside Peter Chumo (ex-MacPherson's warehouse worker who passed away this past April), having a good laugh about the "good old days" at MacPherson's.
Chuck Duncan
September 2, 2008
I met Ron while working for MacPherson's. Ron was very good at testing new versions of software and finding pesky little bugs. My deepest sympathy to family and friends.
Richard Snowden
September 2, 2008
Ron was my go to guy at MacPherson's. If I couldn't remember a customer's name I called Ron, he always knew the name. Ron was a kind gentle soul who was quick to help everone. His positive personality brought a smile to my face. Ron called me Richie Bob, I called him Ron Bob. Ron Bob you are missed.
Gail Vines
September 2, 2008
I so much enjoyed an uplifting few minutes with Ron when we talked. I always knew that whatever the issue, it would be resolved. He was a kind spirit.
Bill Viola
September 2, 2008
What a joy to work with! Always ready, willing and able. I do not feel this way about many people in the industry, but I will miss Ron deeply.
Sherry Nickerson
September 2, 2008
Ron,
When I heard you had left Macpherson's I called to see if I could leave a voice mail message for you to thank you for your amazing support, intelligence, and humor. Now with news of your passing I am saddened that I didn't get to tell you how much I appreciated you and your efforts to your ears. So thank you. You are amazing.
Leslie W. Lee (of the '75 Cutlass Oldsmobile)
August 29, 2008
29. August 2008.
My deepest and sincere condolences to the Nelson family during this most difficult of times. I am still emotionally dumbfounded and numb upon learning of Ron's passing as delivered personally by Michael Hylton this afternoon.
It has been close to three decades that I have seen our dear brother and the other Brothers of Lawton Village. We all grew as teenagers and eventually grew into adults on our many sojourns together-be them arcane (e.g. Farrells, camping, pizza, etc) or profound. The journeys in our various lives that have scattered us in this lifetime but we will all meet up again (probably in that "Blue Bomb" of yours! YIKES!) in a better and more healing place. Peace be with you brother and your soul in that heavenly place above us mere mortals. Pacemque dones protinus; ductore sic te praevio vitemus omne pessimum. Amen.
PS-Say hi to John F for us and miss him too!
Kim Piccinini
August 29, 2008
Ronnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn as he called himself, always made the work week so much more enjoyable than it ever really was. No matter how the ball bounced, Ron was always able to remain knowledgeable and professional. Two of the sadest days were when Ron left MacPherson's and when he left the Earth. My heart goes out to Ron's friends and family as he will truly be missed.
Hey, Ron, look down and see your royal blue shrinky dink. Peace-KimPee (as Ron called me).
Anthony Orler
August 28, 2008
It is always hard to hear about the loss of a friend. From first grade to high school, trips to Farrell's, crazy times in the Blue Bomb and hiking the Four Mile Trail in Yosemite, good memories all.
May the gates of Heaven welcome you, my friend, and may you always be at peace.
My heartfelt condolences to Ron Sr., Darlene, Craig, and the entire Nelson family.
Brenda Duncan
August 28, 2008
I so miss when Ron would call and say, "Brenda, Ron"; we would always try to catch the other off guard when calling. I was so honored at the first of the year, to finally after several years of talking on th phone, to meet Ron face to face and I will never forget the Big Hug I received.
To Ron's family, please accept my most Heart felt sympathy for your loss. Brenda (Buyer in our Atlanta office)
Donald Lambert
August 27, 2008
RON
We had some good times on the phone,both working for our customer for 20 year's.
My family give's there deepest sympatly to your loved ones.
Peter Alba
August 27, 2008
Ronnie Boy,
You were the best! In a contemporary world so filled with "Customer NO Service" you were the epitome of just the opposite; a FULL Customer Service Guy. I remember making sales calls one week in the north coast of California where it seemed as if every call that I made they asked about you. The feeling was summarized at the end of that week at The Art Center in Eureka when Mary Lou asked me, "How is the RONGOD?" I said, "Who?" She said, "The RONGOD, that's what we all called him around here, he is just so....all knowing!"
I am soooooo glad that you called me after you left; my memories of that conversation are still warm.........
I keep a picture of you and Scotty on my desk..........
Love you man!
Petey Boy
Valerie Nygren
August 26, 2008
I will miss Ron and his always upbeat voice. He was my friend and I can't believe I will never talk to him again. I have talked to him nearly every week for 13 years! My condolences go out to his family and friends in San Francisco. All of us at Penco were shocked to hear the news. He really made an impression on me and I will never forget him.
Melissa Moralejo
August 26, 2008
Ron,
You were MacPherson's archive!
Peanut and I will miss you dearly. I hope you're happy where you're at.
My deepest sympathy to your loved ones.
L. Berkun
August 20, 2008
Ron was my Customer Service guy for many years. He was the best. He was great at his job and as a person. He will be missed.
Amy DiStefano
August 17, 2008
Nelson Family
We were so sad to hear about Ronald's passing. Our sincerest sympathy to your family.
Amy DiStefano (Feldstein) and
The Feldstein Family
Edmund Chang
August 16, 2008
Somehow, someway..my last posting did not post. I will make this one short. Ron, my brother from another mother. I will greatly miss you. Miss the days when we go cruising in you cougar or california special. We will forever be in my heart. My heart goes out to your family. Hang tight buddy, we will see eachother again in the future.
Greg Rosario
August 15, 2008
My sincere and heartfelt condolences extended to Ron's family. Ron was a true, compassionate friend in which it was a pleasure and honor to have worked with him at the Coronet and got to know him. We would spend hours sitting/cruising in his car and talked about many things. He put people at ease with his friendliness and sincerity toward everyone. I will miss Ron and will always remember how he touched my life as well as everyone fortunate to meet him.
Donald Lee
August 15, 2008
To my old buddy Ron,
I was sorry to know of your passing. I am going to miss you my friend, Ron. We had a great time at Coronet hanging out and party cruising around town. I know you are in a better place now. To his family: I am sorry to hear of his passing and my thoughts and prayer go out to the Nelson family. From best friend.
Alan Hylton
August 15, 2008
Ron, I've known you for your entire life and we had so many fond memories growing up. Flying down Lawton on your Flexible Flyer, delivering newspapers and later working at the Coronet. I was so sad to hear of your passing but you will now be able to see my Mom. You will be missed and never forgotten.
Edmund Chang
August 15, 2008
I meet Ron at the Coronet and we became fast friends. I'm just totally shock from hearing this news. I know you are in a safer and peaceful place. My Mom, Dad, and brother are holding the pearly gates open for you. You know my family was your surrogate family because we were so close. I heart goes out to the Nelson family. I just can't get the old days out of my mind, especially when we hung out together almost daily. You were always like a brother to me. We went through thick and thin. You gave me lots of great memories. Although we haven't seen much of each other throughout the years, we were always a phone call away. I'm so glad we got to talk on the phone for a few hours after the last Christmas. I'm going to miss you old buddy. Thanks for the memories. Memories are forever. And you, my friend will always be in my heart.
Ron Nelson, 2007
Frank Stapleton, President
August 15, 2008
Ron Nelson was an amazing guy to work with, so smart, so caring. He came to work at MacPherson's nearly 29 years ago on the great recommendation of his mom, Darlene. He mastered the arcane world of art materials, phone customer service and our company with an ease that made it look effortless. He was loved by fellow team members and customers as a kind soul, great listener with a photographic memory. He was and still is famous in the art material world across America as the Ron in the reknowned Ron/John team(John being longtime co-worker John Kaczmarzyk).
We are so saddened by Ron's passing, not just as a team member, but more as a full fledged family member. You can't be forgotten Ron, but you will be missed by so many.
Mike Chan
August 14, 2008
I also met Ron while working at the Coronet Theater which was on Geary Blvd. We had some fun times hanging out after work and cruising around town in the "Blue Bomb". I am sorry to hear of his passing, and my thoughts go out to his family.
Natalie Hoogasian
August 14, 2008
Ron's mother is one of my oldest friends and it is through her that i know Ron. My few contacts with him occurred last year when he helped me with a product I needed from his company. He was so helpful and kind, going out of his way, calling me back and helping me out. I wish I knew him better. I'm sure he will be greatly missed.
Curtis Wong
August 14, 2008
Ron,
Rest in peace my friend. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Nelson family.
Michael Hylton
August 14, 2008
Ron,
You have meant so much to Winola and me throughout our lifes.
Our friendship started when we were little kids at 45th and Lawton. Simply grew from there.
Whether it was around Mom's or your house, weeding Mom's yard, washing cars together, Examiner paper routes and the Coronet Theater, parties in Mom's garage (you helped record the music and set up the party), annual pilgrimages to Yosemite with the gang, movies, F.S. Key school yard during the summers, our wedding, a trip to Europe with Alan, driving around the U.S. with Alan in the Cougar (remember Deming, New Mexico?), nights at the Bocce Ball Courts, drag racing the Porsche on Sunset Boulevard in the "Blue Bomb", holidays. So many memories. Out time together was so precious.
You will always be in our heart, thoughts, and prayers. Hopefully now you are in a better place.
Lawton Village + one won't be the same!
I hope your Grandmother and my Mom held open the gates for you when you arrived.
Love always your dear, dear friends,
Michael and Winnie (as you always called her)
P.S. Say hi to John Fendyan for us.
Lois Rostanzo
August 14, 2008
I cannot express in words how sad I am to hear of this loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this time of trouble.
Patty Siu
August 14, 2008
I will remember him fondly as a sweet and gentle person.
Mark Coughlin
August 14, 2008
I met Ron while working at the Cornet Theater on Clement Street.
He had a good heart and always made me smile.
My prays go out to the family. He will be missed.
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