Ronald Henry Shanander, 71, a longtime resident of Acme, and SWHS teacher, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 27, 2012 while vacationing with his family in Mexico.
Ron was born on March 30, 1941 in Eugene, Oregon, the son of Vernon & Cornelia (Carson) Shanander. He graduated from Reynolds High School with the class of 1959 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Russian in 1964 from Portland State College. Ron was fluent in four languages.
He was united in marriage to Shirley De Young on August 4, 1964. They settled in Acme, WA where he was a devoted 44 year member and Elder in the Little Brown Chapel in Wickersham.
In 1965 Ron began his career as a Spanish teacher, tennis coach and assistant wrestling coach at Sedro-Woolley High School. He retired in 1995 and two years later began coaching tennis at Stanwood High School. Ron received several recognitions for his community contributions in both tennis and wrestling.
Ron is survived by his wife of 48 years, Shirley; his daughters, Sara Dalseg and her husband Rod of Conway, Cathy Law and her husband Joe of Anchorage, Alaska and Patricia Shanander of Acme; his grandsons, Anthony Shanander, Zachary & Tim Dalseg, and Caleb, Joshua, Daniel, Gabriel and Josiah Law; his sisters, Jeanne Shanander, Verna Wetherbee and Beth Gunderson of Milwaukee, OR and Linda Vetor of Portland, OR, and multiple nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Inspire Church, 805 Township Street in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Hank Hoefs of Tacoma officiating. A private interment will held at the Saxon Cemetery. A time of visitation will be available at Lemley Chapel on Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. There will be no viewing at the service.
Memorials are suggested to the Little Brown Chapel Building Fund, c/o Treasurer, Dawna Bennett, 9119 District Line Road, Burlington, WA 98233.
To the Shanander Family,
My family met Ron when my son was competing in junior tennis. Blake competed in many of Ron’s tournaments at Stanwood. Ron always was supportive of Blake, even when his team at Everett HS competed against Stanwood. Ron helped Blake sort through a USTA ratings problem. I saw Ron many times when I helped coach tennis teams at Everett HS, and more recently, as a spectator at many high school tennis matches. I always enjoyed talking with Ron. He did so much for junior tennis over many years. I will miss him as will his many friends in the tennis community.
“Coach Shanander” was my tennis coach for one year, wresting coach for many years, and my Spanish teacher for two in the late 70’s. While I am hardly able to translate, I still remember many of the phrases that he taught us “Ba, Be, Bo, Bu – a donkey is smarter than you.” While we learned a lot in class, he had an absolute love of life that made it enjoyable to be in his class. For those who got in trouble, there was always “black out bingo.” He was prepared, knowledgable, and able to communicate to a range of skills and abilities in class.
In wrestling, he was the calm that kept the team on track. He provided support and guidance, particularly to the JV wrestlers and during the high intensity of tournaments, close matches, and controversial officials. As an official himself, he knew the rules and conveyed that respect to the team. He was amazingly patient with me playing tennis. I was not very good, but he made sure that I had opportunities to compete regardless of how late at night it might be. The thing I remember most was working on a report about high school coaches for an English class. I interviewed him and asked him, ‘what do you enjoy most about coaching?’ I’m paraphrasing, but he said that he knew there would always be outstanding athletes and he named a few big names at Sedro Woolley. But what he enjoyed most was taking the kid who wasn’t naturally gifted and making him successful. That was his reason to coach.
To Coach Shanander’s family, thank you for the countless hours of sharing him with the many young people who crossed his path in the classroom, on the mats, and on the courts. There are so many of us who are better off for his teaching, coaching, and inspiration.
I just received a email relating to another Sedro Woolley group stating that Ron had passed away. He was one of my favorite teachers while a student at SWHS from 1968-1971. The 2 years I had Spanish with him as the instructor were fun, high quality teaching despite the fact we had a class of 40 students with only 20 textbooks. We as students shared in teams of 2 those textbooks in class where our lessons were done 🙂 Mr. Shanander always had a ready smile and was available to any questions students had. He made me feel relaxed around him because he had a genuine enthusiasm for students and the subject of Spanish. Time just flew in his classes so that I hated to leave when the bell rang 🙂 . He showed his affection for students as individual personalities and so the given on subject classroom discussions were sometimes quite lively. Being a introvert I used to be very self conscious in high school and awkward in social settings. But in his Spanish classes his manner of dealing with students and his teaching style caused me to feel accepted and the same as everyone else in the classrooms. Therefore in his class I felt I could open up myself more than in some of my other classes :). He was always attentive to students’ needs as well as questions and always patient. I remember that because of those character traits his classes had a productive but pleasant atmosphere for 99% of the students (1% being a few who had schedule conflicts, etc.)
I know I’ve been a little bit wordy but he made a big impact on my life. I took Spanish classes in college and last year took more Spanish classes. He will be greatly missed. I hope you find comfort in hearing how he touched so many lives and that this will help you as you go thru a time of many changes with Ron’s passing over.
Shirley, Patricia and my son, Anthony. When I discovered the news of Ron’s passing (Jan 17) I honeslty felt sad. Ron and I may not have seen eye to eye on alot, but during the short time he was in my life I learned many very good things from him. A few of his words I still quote from time to time. He was a good man. Andy
Shirley & Family:
The service was very precious, and I was glad to hear all the stories and memories contributed by so many about how Ron (and you!) touched their lives. Although I am mindful of the fact that Ron is now with the Lord face to face, is young and healthy like I remember him (“Ronnie”), I will miss seeing him here and reading his funny emails. We love you, and will continue praying you sense the Lord’s comforting assurance that “it is well” because these three remain: faith, hope and love.
Dear Shanader family, I was surprised when I drove past Lincoln School in Mt. Vernon yesterday and saw the reader board message, “In Loving Memory of Ron Shanander.” I was saddened to then read he had passed away suddenly and at such a young age. My deepest sympathies to you all. Mr. Shanander was one of those unforgetable teachers and human beings who loved God, people, and everything he set his hand to. May the peace of God guard your hearts and your minds as you go through the days ahead.
Ron was fun. I will always remember the way he laughed at us on the first day of Spanish class by making us call ourselves burros (jackasses.) I still remember all the spanish dialogues he assigned the class to memorize. He always took us to eat at Mexican restaurants and told fun stories about his travels. He was one of my favorite teachers. My prayers go out to Ron’s family and friends.
Dear Shirley and family,
I read what Lance wrote and I wanted to echo his sentiment. Ron was so much more than just a great coach, he was really an inspiration as were you to so many people. I remember the prayers we would have before matches and how wonderfull he was to everyone win or lose. His incredible sense of humor and love for life was contagious and to this day I’m influenced by things I learned from him. He let me play unofficially as an eighth grader because I was always hanging around the courts, he had a great knack for including people and making them feel confidence. My deepest sympathy goes to you Shriley and your entire family.
Dear Shirley and family,
My wife Jen and I attended the services yesterday and we were so touched by all the wonderful memories and responses/testimonials given by everyone. Please know, by yet another of one, touched and influenced so thoroughly, by Ron and you Shirley, how much Ron has influenced my life to this day. I have held him and memories of the both of you so very close over the years. I’m just so very saddened by not only the loss of Ron to all of us, but of how long it has been since talking with either of you, seeing you all yesterday and just experiencing the flood of such wonderful memories of stories, times shared, fellowship among the team and so much more, for all the years through high school at Sedro-Woolley.
I played all four years for Ron, 1974-78 and he was like a second father to me in every way possible. He was my mentor, my friend and one I could count on everry day. His advice, leadership, guidance, sense of priorities, love of God…unbelievably molded and shaped my life and who I am to this day. What a wonderful and blessed human being. If there was every a person who was the example of a true God-Send, it was Ron. And Shirley, it was you too. You were our second Mom and we relied on you to keep all of us grounded and treated like the family you both treated us as, over the years at Woolley: gentle but loving “nudges” when we messed up, to the sometimes (and much needed) accolades when we triumped – with life and not just on the court…!
Yesterday, I couldn’t help but think, we were all close or at the least, extended family in that assembly, united in our love for the both of you and shared in God’s grace. How wonderful! The stories just overflow, along with such precious memories.
I told Jen about a bunch of great “Ron-isms” and associated stories over the years. She would have done Ron proud with all the laughter. I pulled out the yearbook and he had written several little “notes” to me at graduation…absolutely hilarious, and so “Ron Shanander”….
May God truely bless you all and may you always know how much of a invaluable, imeasurable difference, Ron and you made in so many of our lives. I will continue to hold you all and those precious memories close in heart and in spirit, the rest of my life.
God bless you all. Please hold each other close through these difficult days ahead. Know that Ron will be with you. I can tell you that he will be, always.
-Lance & Jen Simshauser
My name is Joyce and I was a student of Mr. Shanander at SWHS in 1968-70. He was a great Spanish teacher! I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. You can take much comfort knowing that he is now enjoying heaven and all the thrills it holds!
Dearest Shirley and girls and grandchildren,
Our hearts ache for you, but for your husband and Father and Grandfather we can only rejoice as he has reached the goal of being with his Savior and Lord.. Jesus Christ. What a happy reunion for you all one day. I know it is a comfort to you, knowing he is safe in the arms of Jesus… Shirley, you and Ron have been such a blessing and example to us and how we have appreciated your prayers and support all the years on the mission field and since. Our daughter Joanna also asked to be remembered to you and assures you of her prayers. May you continue to sense HIS peace and joy and comfort for the lonely days ahead.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Shirley and family-we didn’t know Ron, but he had a good influence on our boys when they attended SWHS We are so very sorry for your loss Florence and Stan Thompson
To the Shanander Family,
On behalf of the Phay family, let me offer our heartfelt condolences to you all. Ron was a special
teacher. I first knew him as he debuted as SWHS tennis coach for the first time. We had 2 old courts and
14 players. He knew very little of tennis, but jumped in and learned to play right along with the rest
of us. Now, with 15 tennis players and 2 courts, we all immediately started a campaign with the school powers
that be to remedy the situation! Coach Ron was at the head of it. Along with the new courts, the future power house years that Sedro Woolley had in tennis attest to his excellent coaching abilities. My brother Bob and sisters Dorothy and Margaret all played tennis for him and have nothing but praise for Coach Ron. Brother Tom also wrestled under Coach Ron and remembers him well. A very special teacher, coach and friend. We all miss him. God bless, Jim Phay
Shirley & family
I am sorry to hear of Ron’s passing, I used to live by the tennis courts at the high school and my daughter would go over and watch the tennis team practice, so one day Ron gave her a bent racket and a few balls and told her to hit the ball against the house or the garage door for practice. So she did, thump, thump, thump against the house all day long, all summer long, about drove me crazy, but that is what kind of guy Ron is, always there for the kids in Sedro-Woolley. God Bless you all in this time of sorrow.
I was blessed to have known Ron and been able to play senior doubles tennis with him in Stanwood. He was magic with a racquet in his hand – he could place the ball wherever he wanted!
Patricia and Anthony, an the rest of the family, I am so sorry for you loss. I know he lives on in you both with your love of and skills with the game and the values he instilled in you. We are fortunate to have known Ron. I am hopeful because he lives on with the Creator of all.
Ron was a positive influence upon my life in the ’60s, with whom I dined 3 meals/day at Willamette University, and spent hundreds of hours together in years that followed. He was my “best man” at my wedding, and taught me the most important principles of scripture. We lived together for one season, and he also “showed” me how to share the Word of God in gospel work. He demonstrated unusual diligence in his private Christian life, and in teaching, encouraging and edifying me and many others. And now he is perfectly happy in the very presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank the Lord for his being used to change the course of my life forever!
May our gracious Lord Jesus comfort the hearts of his loved ones left behind for “this little while.”
Although I had fallen out of touch with Ron until I wrote him a long-overdue letter last June, I have thought of him with gratitude many times over the past 47 years. When I took first-year Spanish as a sophomore at SWHS, it was Ron’s first year as Spanish instructor. Fresh out of college, he was gung ho about teaching his students correct grammar and pronunciation. Because of his dedication to teaching and his willingness to go the extra mile, I was able to complete four years of Spanish in three, pass a test releasing me from foreign-language requirements in college, and communicate adequately on eight Latin-American humanitarian trips in the decades since. As an ordained minister, I have served as liaison between a large church’s Hispanic ministry and the American pastoral staff, and I’ve performed around half a dozen bilingual or all-Spanish weddings. Now I’m an editor, and I’m able to do proofreading and light copyediting on Spanish manuscripts. I’m convinced that none of this would have happened if I’d not had a Spanish teacher of Ron’s caliber. And I am just one of the many people whose lives he touched. Please know that even though I haven’t met the rest of his family, I keep you all in my prayers during this difficult time.
Shirley–I was so sorry to hear of Ron’s death–he had such an impact on the kids of Sedro-Woolley, especially those who shared his love of tennis. You are certainly in my thoughts and prayers. Kathy
We are so sorry about Ron’s passing and are thinking of you all during this sad time. Ron had such a sparkle in his eye and was always willing to provide a funny story and joke while we were watching the high school tennis matches. He was so supportive of our local tennis efforts. He is missed.
Shirley and girls, I am so very sorry for your loss. We have lost touch, but will always have a special place in the Dillon family memories. I know that without Rons guidance Jim would have never loved tennis as he does, to this day. I think of how Jim played, he and Jeff, with passion (sometimes a little too much) and dedication. That carried on as he coached at Walla Walla. Thank you Ron for what you gave him.
Dear Shirley and family,
Memories keep those we love close to us forever. With deepest sympathy,
Carol Suiter
I pray that the you will have a special comfort from the Lord as we are assured that Ron is in the presence now of the Lord Jesus who loved him and died on Calvary for him. I have many happy memories of times spent with Ron over 49 years ago. We both worked at Emanuel Hospital in Portland, and for most of a year rented rooms at the same house near the hospital. I thank the Lord for the encouragement that Ron was to me to live to please the Lord. We often spent our time together in the car singing hymns, and often with a car load of other kids. I was one whose life he touched. Thanks, Ron.
To the Shanander Family:
I am so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. He was someone I really liked and admired. Ron was always positive and upbeat and made a difference in the lives of many. I pray for God’s comfort and support to your wonderful family that Ron was so rightfully proud of, and loved so much.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Ron touched many lives and will be missed.may your faith , family and many friends comfort and support you all during this difficult time. Joan