Born on April 24, 1947 to JD and Mary Walker in Philadelphia, Ron was a Marine brat who grew up on Marine Bases. After graduating from Camp Lejeune High School, he attended the University of Georgia where he received his BA and met his wife, Karen Ratthaus.
Ron began his Marine Corps career on June 7, 1969, and the next day he and Karen were married on June 8, 1969. Ron and Karen began a remarkable journey of fifty-five years of marriage. They raised two children, Dawne and Ross, who brought a lot of joy, love, and pride to their lives.
After serving twenty distinguished years in the Marine Corps, Ron retired to continue his journey with his family. He became a high school Spanish teacher and football coach for many years. He enjoyed being around young people and helping them achieve.
Ron was always involved in his children’s lives whether it was attending his daughter’s music concerts or watching his son play soccer. He and Karen enjoyed traveling to UGA football games and going to beaches on the coast or in the Caribbean.
Ron was an avid sports fan, especially (UGA) college football. He was also an avid reader, golfer, and big believer in self-fitness. He enjoyed sitting with Karen in the evenings and having a drink of wine, bourbon, or a cold brew.
Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Karen, their two children: Dawne and Ross, their grandsons: Nathan and Jack, his sister, Sue, and his brother, Jay D.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 11, at 11:00 a.m., in the Bernstein Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Cancer Research Institute, 29 Broadway, Floor 4, New York, NY 10006-3111; online at https://tinyurl.com/2rws3rvj or the Semper Fi & America’s Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057; online at https://thefund.org/donate/
He will be missed by his family and those lives he touched with his wit, his advice, and his tenacity for life.
“Fair winds and following Seas.”
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
