Ronald Warren Robertson

Ron was born in the height of the Great Depression on September 3, 1931, in New York City, New York. His parents, Clarence E. Robertson Sr. and Helen M. (Jenkins) Robertson returned to their home, Richmond, Virginia with their two young boys six months later. They stayed in Richmond for several years, before working their way across the country, following the new electrical grid, as Clarence Sr. was an electrician.

Some of the young family’s homes included Louisville, Kentucky; Detroit Michigan, Clinton, Iowa; and Yakima, Washington. Ron and his brother Clarence Jr. (also known as Robbie) spent formative years in Yakima and often shared stories of shenanigans as young teens living there. The parents parted ways here. Helen took a job at Kenworth in Seattle and moved the boys with her to the Renton Highlands. The brothers attended Renton High School with Ron graduating in 1951. Coincidentally, each brother became President of the Student Board of Control as seniors while at RHS.

After graduation, Ron attended a year of studies at the University of Washington. He was then drafted into the Korean War and served in the Army there for two years, fighting near the 38th Parallel. He ended his service with the rank of Sergeant. Once back from Korea, Ron returned to Renton where he became employed with the Boeing Company in Seattle and met Betty Sundet at the wedding of a friend. Eventually, they became engaged and were married in Bellevue, Washington in April of 1956.

Ron enjoyed Betty’s large family and became friends with her many brothers and sisters. But Ron especially adored their mother, Petra. Ron and Petra entered business together and opened The Ice Creamery in Skyway. They later renamed the business P&R Quick Stop and moved it to Seattle’s Montlake district, where Fuel Coffee stands today.

New business ventures became a theme in Ron’s life. Ron and Robbie, joined by the three Peek brothers, formed Kenmore Lanes and purchased Village Lanes located in the University Village. Ron managed Village Lanes until its closure in 1995. Ron was notorious for hiring many for their first jobs and really giving people a chance. During Ron’s career, he and Betty enjoyed working and bowling together. They square-danced, took cruises, and trips to Hawaii, and drove across the country in both directions.

They raised their daughter, Jill, in Renton and Newcastle, Washington. He was a devoted father, husband, and, eventually, grandfather. Ron and Betty lovingly cared for their two granddaughters, Amy and Corey. They enjoyed watching the girls grow up and were very involved in their lives, taking care of them in the summers, chaperoning them to sports and dance practices, and cheering them on in the stands.

For the entirety of his life, Ron was the type of person who would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. Ron and Betty worked at the Friendly Kitchen, located in the old Hillcrest Elementary. He also gleaned produce and grocery items for the soup kitchen. He had a deep appreciation for music and movies, was a lifelong sports fan (especially when it came to baseball), a prolific storyteller, and a man of faith. Ron and Betty attended Renton Lutheran Church until it closed, after which they became members of St. Matthew’s Lutheran.

Ron died peacefully on September 21, 2022, at home with Betty and Jill at his side as he passed on.

Ron is survived by his wife Betty J. Robertson, daughter Jill Fawcett (Allen), granddaughters, Amy Velling (Shea) and Corey Moody (Ricki), nephew Kim Robertson, sister-in-law Joanne Robertson, and various family in Virginia.

Ron is preceded in death by an infant son, his father, Clarence E. Robertson Sr., his mother, Helen M. Robertson and his brother, Clarence E. (“Robbie”) Robertson Jr.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 9 at 2:00pm, in Renton, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church – 1700 Edmonds Ave NE, Renton WA 98056.