Big Fish:

You were a great lawyer, but an even greater friend. Rest in peace, brother.

While waiting for a  judge to appear in court one day, I  began reciting TS Eliot’s Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.  A voice behind me joined in. It was Ron. We laughed until the judge took the bench.  I long to read it again with Ron. I read the poem again when I learned that Ron passed away.  The line: “I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker…” hit me.  I hope  that in his final days that he knew that light has not gone dark for those who knew him. 
Farewell, Ron.     Stacy J. Heyworth

Ron, my eldest brother, like me was very fond of poetry.  He and I, more than once, spent time reciting poems that we had memorized to each other.  We both had memorized, for no particular reason, and at different times, portions of the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales in the original middle English. And he knew just a couple of lines more than me.  It’s hard to express how much I will miss him, so I am going to take some help from a few of the poets he liked and wax sentimental using their words.  I know he would love that.  

He would love to have chatted with anybody about Prufrock, wondering about his arms and legs growing thin and rolling up the bottoms of his trousers.  And like Dylan T, he would want to bring up the importance of raging against the dying of the light.  I know that he would love to be sitting with us all just so he could say, “I heard a fly buzz - when I died” followed by a “thanks, Emily, and I also loved that bit about Death kindly stopping for me!”  

Ron may be gone, but we all will remember him for the good things he gave to us.  I think this bit by Anne Bronte puts it together in a way that Ron would appreciate.

      Farewell to Thee! But not farewell
     To all my fondest thoughts of Thee;
     Within my heart they still shall dwell
    And they shall cheer and comfort me.

As a deputy district attorney, you’d always ask after arraignment on one of your cases “who’s the defense attorney?”  Everyone was always happy when it was Ron.  Not because he was a pushover, far from it, but because he was kind, professional, and gifted to in zealously representing his client.  In a word, Respected by all.

I can’t say it better than John and Derek. I too knew Ron when I was a deputy district attorney. He was a total professional and I was always glad to pick up a file and see his name because I knew resolving the case by trial or negotiation was going to be a pleasant and professional experience. I then became a judge and got so see Ron interact with his clients. He was a caring counselor to those he worked with. He took the time to get to know clients and treated them with dignity. He was very respected by the bench. He also had a great sense of humor and a wonderful life story. He’s be missed.

A great person, respected by everyone who worked with him.  Outstanding temperament and sense of humor.

I'm very sorry to hear that Ron passed.  I got to know Ron when I was a prosecutor in Multnomah County for 15 years.  We handled many cases together.  I don't have to tell you this - but Ron was a special human being.  Very personable, down-to-earth, funny, and intelligent.  He did a good job for his clients, of course, but he had a quality about him that was calming.  Unique guy.  I call him a friend.  I'm thinking good thoughts for all of you.  We need more Ron's in the world.

OBITUARY

Ronald McAfee Fishback

September 10, 1946 – September 15, 2024

Young's Funeral Home

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