Ron the son of a German immigrant father, William Hoefer, and Lillian Hendricks, a Mayflower descendant, was born in Portland Oregon on June 7, 1922. As a youngster growing up in the depression era, he worked many jobs trying to help the financial needs of the family because his father suddenly lost his eyesight due to a workplace accident.
After graduating from Ballard High School, he met and married, Joyce Pearson from Monroe, Washington. They had three children, Roland J., Marianne Kravagna, and Gregory A. and settled in the Lake City area for many years. Later Ron and Joyce built a beautiful house in the Sheridan Beach area where Joyce passed away in 1977, after a long illness. Following the death of Joyce, Ron married Geri Sorrentino and became the step father to her three girls, Rebecca Budelman, Jennifer Soderberg, and Deirdre Law. Ron and Geri made their home in the Lake Forest Park area. Sadly, Geri passed away suddenly in 2013, leaving Ron a widower once again.
During the war, Ron worked as a welder in the naval shipyards then became a commercial painter for a short time. However, he soon found his true passion was in real estate, opening his own real estate brokerage office in the Lake City area. By the 1950’s he had purchased a small house with a large lot where he built his own office building. He continued to expand his direction in real estate and became a field appraiser for the Federal Housing Administration, formed an independent appraisal business with a colleague, but eventually struck out on his own forming The Western Appraisal Company. Both sons worked with him during the 60’s and 80’s.
He also enjoyed the challenge of investment real estate and acquired apartments, mobile home parks and other types of properties in both Washington and California. He enjoyed personally working on and improving the properties.
Ron became well respected for his skill in solving real estate appraisal problems and was highly sought after as an expert witness. He always enjoyed discussing difficult assignments and applying his sharp mind to finding fair, yet creative answers to difficult cases on behalf of his clients. Ron also served as the real estate officer for the University of Washington in 1972-73, was a member of the Appraisal Institute in the United States as well as Canada, the American Right of Way Assoc. and Washington Assoc. of Realtors. He was elected president of the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers.
He was a Master Mason for 50 years, a member of the Mayflower Descendants, St Mark Church in Shoreline, and a Fellow of Seattle Pacific University. Over the years he also supported many and varied Christian missions.
Besides the children mentioned above, Ron is also survived by his sister Melanie Peterson as well as grand and great grandchildren. The family would also like to thank the many care givers at Aegis of Shoreline for the care and concern expressed for our father over the past few years.
We will miss him greatly but know he is in a better place, that has been prepared for him. He also left us a reminder found in Psalm 73:26 which says “My health may fail and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.”
A Memorial Service will be held at Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 14951 Bothell Way NE, Seattle 98155, on Saturday, April 8th at 1pm with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made in his honor to Everett Gospel Mission at 3711 Smith Ave, Everett 98201. Please sign the on-line guestbook at www.acaciafuneralhome.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18