Dr. Ronald Stuart Gusa passed away at his home in Mill Creek, WA on July 1, 2018. He was born on November 9, 1932 in Seattle and was raised in Bremerton by his parents Myron and Edna Gusa. He lived in the Seattle area his entire life. He always said there was no better place to live.
Ron showed strong leadership skills at a young age through his election as master councilor of the Bremerton chapter of the Order of DeMolay and by becoming an Eagle Scout. He was also a member of the Hi-Climbers Club. He graduated with honors from Bremerton High School in 1950.
Ron continued his education and graduated from the University of Washington’s School of Dentistry in 1957. He loved dentistry and practiced for over 40 years on Queen Anne Hill. He was especially proud of his involvement in The Academy of R.V. Tucker Study Clubs, which allowed him to mentor, share his passion, and create friendships with dentists in the U.S. and around the world.
Ron and his first wife raised four children in the Seattle area. Their family was fortunate enough to spend carefree summers at their cabin on Camano Island swimming, boating, fishing and playing lots of games. During this time, Ron stayed involved in his community. He was a senator and president in the Jaycees and ran for Washington State Representative. He also co-founded Cub Pack 850 and was their first cubmaster. Ron was also president of the PTA at his children’s school.
Ron was interested in people from all walks of life; you never knew who he would bring home. He and his family welcomed foster children into their homes. Interesting guests from around the world could show up at any time, including senators, the entire cast of Jesus Christ SuperStar or the person who was down on their luck who he would do free dental work for. Dr. Gusa did dental work for the conductors, singers and others of the Soviet cast of “War and Peace”. Then all were invited to his home for dinner, singing, dancing and music. Ron accepted people of all different perspectives, beliefs and lifestyles and he cherished his many friendships. He had many lifelong friends, but he continued to make new friends throughout his life. Ron was ahead of his time in his perspectives of the world and those around him. He was always open to new and progressive ideas and was not judgemental of people with differing viewpoints.
In 1987, Ron met the woman he said taught him what love was. He and Judy married in 1991, and their family grew to include his beloved stepdaughter Emily Dobson. Ron and Judy traveled whenever they could; they especially enjoyed visiting Germany, but traveled as far as Russia, Greece, and through the Panama Canal not just one time, but twice—once in each direction. They kept a large home, so that their family could visit and gather in one place. Everyone was always welcome at their home.
Ron was interested in just about everything. He loved a good house remodel project and bought a tractor to dig around his Lynwood property. He loved to read and was always curious about the history of the many countries he visited; he visited Germany many times and loved studying the history of WWII. He liked to say that he was always learning, and he prized education; not only in the classroom, but out in the world. Ron’s legacy is one of learning, curiosity, travel, engagement with the world, and love for his family.
Ron is preceded in death by his wife Judy Gusa and his sister Donna Hubert. He is survived by his five children: Michael Gusa, Angela Gusa (Mark Plut), Sharon Gusa (Chuck Quint), Randy Gusa, and Emily Dobson (Jesse dias dos passos), and his five grandchildren. An open memorial service for Ron will be held at Purdy and Walters at Floral Hills in Lynwood on July 18, 2018 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron’s memory can be made to the Seattle Children’s Hospital or the Everett Gospel Mission.
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