Ronald Duane Morgenthaler, born January 23, 1935 in Bellingham, passed on August 9 in Everett.
Ron graduated Mt. Baker High School and the University of Washington. He married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor Hansen, in 1955, before serving as an officer in the Air Force for 3 years in Amarillo, Texas.
After a 29 year career in the Bell/AT&T phone system, Ron retired as Division Manager in Los Angeles. Some years after retiring, Ron worked for three seasons for the U.S. Forest Service in the Wenatchee National Forest, Cle Elum District, in trail education and enforcement.
Ron had a great passion for the outdoors, enjoyed family activities, skiing, music & jazz, and, especially, riding & racing off-road motorcycles. As a young man, he enjoyed drag racing throughout the Continental Divide and Northwest. He dabbled in TSD car rallying with his then 12-year old daughter as his co-driver, and later supported her as she participated in "stage" rally. He always appreciated automobiles, and owned over 60 cars in his life, with membership in different marque clubs.
He was an activist on a state and national level for trails for all users, with an emphasis on motorized opportunities, serving as an advisory committee member for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, the IAC's State Trails Advisory Committee, Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicle Activities Advisory Committee, Blue Ribbon Coalition, was involved with North Cascade Grizzly Recovery, a lifetime member of the American Motorcyclist Association, and founder of the Northwest Motorcycle Association Trail Division (NMA). He was one of the first six inductees into the NOHVCC Hall of Fame in 2006. Though a quiet man, he was influential in his advocacy for off-road riding rights and land use.
Ron was also a member of Puget Sound Enduro Riders, Camano Island Car and Social Society, Mt. Baker MG Car Club, MG Car Club Northwest Centre, and was a former ski Instructor with Hyak and Northshore Ski Schools.
Ron leaves behind his wife, ElRae, one daughter, Kathryn and her partner Steve, one grandson, Eric and his wife Emily, two great-grandchildren, Keeley and Torin, and a number of dear friends.
Donations in lieu of flowers to the Livestrong Foundation (donations@livestrong.org) or Lettered Streets Covenant Church (letteredstreetscc.com).
A memorial celebration will be held at 1:00pm on September 2 at the Log Show Museum in Deming.