Ronald Lee Burgess

Ronald (Rohn) Lee Burgess, 81, of Clearwater, Florida, passed away, Tuesday, March 10, 2020 in Palm Harbor, Florida surrounded by family.

Rohn was born March 11, 1938 in Tacoma, Washington to Merle and Lillian (Sturgis) Burgess. He graduated from Fort Vancouver High School in 1956 and attended Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. After working in the family floorcovering business he moved to Tacoma and eventually opened Burgess Furniture store in the Hilltop neighborhood. After the store closed, he became the President of the Downtown Tacoma Association (DTA) for 18 years. In this position he worked to revitalize downtown Tacoma, including projects that paved the way for the opening of the University of Washington Tacoma Campus, the rehabilitation of Union Station, and construction of the I-705 spur. He created the Business Improvement Area (BIA) which continues to clean the streets and sidewalks of downtown to create a safe and inviting atmosphere. Rohn helped to put on the yearly Daffodil parade, Christmas parade, Bed Races, and downtown summer festival. He left the DTA in 1990 and became the Regional Vice President of Northwest Protective Service for three years. Rohn then moved to Geneva, Switzerland, for two years working for the U.S. Department of Commerce promoting U.S. companies in the region.

After retiring to Florida, he met the love of his life, Barbara Mathews, in 1998 on a flight to Washington State where they were both visiting family for the Christmas holiday. He asked her out on the flight and they started dating shortly after. He and Barbara married on February 14, 2001.

Rohn enjoyed reading the daily newspaper, golfing, emailing with friends and relatives, and spending time with his children and grandchildren whenever he could. He loved to travel and was well-known for his detailed itineraries that would ensure he toured as much as he could in a set time. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend to everyone.

Rohn is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Barbara; along with four children, Xeno Campanoli of Tacoma, Washington, Jennifer Holland of Federal Way, Washington, Jim (Penney) of Tacoma, Washington, and Jami Lyn of Washington, DC; two step-daughters Kimberly (Brian) McKinley of Bradenton, Florida, and Kelly (Dana) Wright of Palm Harbor, Florida; seven grandchildren, Jenine Hurlbert, Holly Ann Kasper, Marshal Roberts, Shannon Burgess, Collin McKinley, Stephanie Auch, and Tony Auch; great-grandchildren and many other loving relatives.

A burial ceremony for family will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 10:30 AM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, Florida.