Ronald E. Baze was born to Edward and Joan Baze in San Mateo, California on Oct. 13, 1944. His Father was in the U. S. Navy and after a tour of duty the family relocated to Washington State to be near the other Baze family members. He passed away on Dec. 22, 2023 after a long battle with cancer.
Ron was an inspiration to many throughout his life for his positive attitude that came through in all he did. His thoughtfulness, kindness to others, and sense of humor made a lasting impact on his many friends and relatives. He was always there to give a helping hand and offer insightful advice at times often accompanied by laughter. His professional life was indicative of hard work, discipline and organization that was also reflected in his daily life. Ron’s enthusiasm and zest for life was evident in everything he did. From creative photography that resulted in self-publishing books of his travels, organizing an annual golf trip with his friends, spending a month in Mexico each year, and regaling others with stories about the people he met, his life was filled with purpose and joy. Ron embodied a life well lived and will be remembered as a loyal and trusted friend.
He graduated from Issaquah High School in 1962 when it was still a small community surrounded by rural dairy farmlands. He later attended Central Washington State College (now Central Washington University) in Ellensburg.
During that time, he was on the Varsity Wrestling team and won the NAIA District Wrestling Crown in 1966 and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament. He was president of Stephens Hall and on many other student leadership committees. He also minored in the Spanish language and was part of the first migrant assistance program in the Yakima Valley.
He had a very rewarding career in the Washington Army National Guard from 1967 through 1973 and took first place in the very tough physical fitness training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in 1967.
He was hired by the Hoquiam School District in the fall of 1969 as a business education teacher and the head high school wrestling coach. Thus, he began a treasured thirty-seven-year partnership with the district and in his own words, “I was a Grizzly forever.”
During his tenure he was a high school teacher, class counselor and vocational program director. He also assisted with the non-English speaking students, started the elementary and middle school wrestling programs, the high school photography program, the AmeriCorps summer vocational training program and was one of the founders of the high school girls’ track program.
His unique grant-funded programs were all well respected and won many state awards. Consequently, he spoke at educational conferences throughout the state of Washington, British Columbia, California, Nevada and Washington D. C.
He was the Black Hills League Wrestling Coach of the Year four times, The Daily World Newspaper Coach of the Year two times and the Washington State AA Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1990. He was formally inducted into the Washington State Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 1991 and the National Wrestling Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 2019.
His wrestling team won the state AA Team Title in 1988 and were ranked in the top ten for over a decade and his teams also brought home the 2nd, 4th and 5th place state team trophies. He ultimately coached eight state champions, thirty state place winners and three All-Americans.
The thousands of students who were counseled, coached and taught by Ron respected his knowledge and skill while learning lifelong lessons they never have forgotten. Some became friends who stayed in touch with him throughout his life. They often spoke of how much he meant to them and how important he was in their lives.
He retired from the Hoquiam School District in 2007 and began his lifelong dream of cross-country traveling and photography. He drove through Mexico and used his grasp of the language to make many friends along the way. He also retraced his dad’s footsteps up the Alcan Highway and drove through the Yukon Territory and throughout Alaska. He then basically photographed his way across the western part of the United States seeking one adventure after another in all of the National Parks. During his last decade he published a book of poems, a book of short stories and four independent photography books.
He is survived by his significant other, Dianah, his sister, Linda (Ron), his daughter, Jennifer (Sergio Sr.), son Ryan, three grandchildren, Sylvia, Sergio and Hayley, great-grandchild, Sofia and nephews Brian (Jennifer) and Edward (Anna). As per his request there will be no funeral or memorial service.
