Ronald Wayne Hellerstedt

It is with immense grief and an abundance of love that the family of Ronald Wayne Hellerstedt, 73, of Moreno Valley, CA, must announce that he passed away in his sleep on January 4, 2023, from cardiac issues. Ron was an amazing husband, father, friend, and family member. Although his family was not ready for him to leave, he left peacefully, and is now free to exist without pain or worry.

Ron was born on November 16, 1949 to James and Marjorie Hellerstedt in Renton, WA. As a child in Lynwood, WA, he fell ill with Rheumatic Fever and was required to stay in bed for months. Later, he recounted how much he longed for connection and movement during this time. As he grew, he made sure to be active and live fully, acting as an avid sports fan throughout his life. As an enthusiastic spectator, he made efforts to travel to and enjoy games of his favorite pro teams: the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Angels. His “man cave” holds cherished mementos from along the way. He also enjoyed being a sports participant from early childhood into adulthood, including tennis, flag football, softball, and pickup basketball, even coaching a youth basketball team for some time. Later on, he delighted in playing golf and liked to gloat about his hole-in-one at the local community golf course, much to the dismay of older competitive relatives Uncle Ray and Father-in-Law Wally Braff. He looked for the fun in life, and was intense, passionate, and opinionated about…everything.

After Ron graduated from Meadowdale High School in 1967, he went on to study political science and earned a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Washington. He has been a life-long loyal Huskies fan ever since. Upon graduation from UW, Ron started a job as a Credit Manager, kickstarting a 27 year career in finance. Ron worked with Norwest Financial, where he became a District Manager. Then, after caring for his mother through a battle with cancer that led to her death in 1998, Ron quit the high pressure finance business and took a two year hiatus to be more present in his youngest child’s life.

Growing up working with his father on houses with a post-Depression era family, Ron knew the importance of building a more stable life for himself and his family. His experiences made him a staunch believer in the power of education and the importance of access to information, which led him to read the news every day. After this brief hiatus from work, Ron returned to a new career- in education. For 15 years, he loved teaching government, economics, and life lessons to high school seniors at Vista Del Lago High School.

After retirement in 2017, Ron spent his time watching sports, traveling, telling jokes, enjoying sunsets in his scenic backyard, playing games, both at home and in casinos, watching and enjoying a wide variety of incredible live music, and spending time with family and friends. He always looked for the fun in life, and aimed to make worthwhile memories. Some of his favorite vacations included his trip to the Virgin Islands; his Footsteps to Freedom tour, where he traveled stops on the Underground Railroad with fellow history educators; his road trips to Montana; and his visits with extended family at the Lizard Lodge in New Mexico.

Ron was the father to three amazing children. He loved them all, and was so happy to have the opportunity to meet his great granddaughter Jayden before he passed. Ron was a believer in logic, in backing up your argument with facts, and in the power of a good joke. Ron always instilled the importance of making memories. Although he was always financially minded, he also knew money was worth nothing if life wasn't lived. Ron's family is so grateful for all that he shared in his amazing 73 years of life and will never forget him.

Ron is survived by his wife, Diane, and their child Holly, of San Diego; by his former wife Linda Roberge and their daughters Tracie , of Tacoma, WA, and Kristi Bales, of Moreno Valley, CA; by his brother Jim Hellerstedt, of Las Vegas, NV and his sister Linda Stafford, of Lacy, WA; by his grandson Dustin Peppard and his great granddaughter Jayden Peppard; and by his in-laws, nephews and nieces, cousins, and life-long friends. His humor, witty intellect, and world perspective will be missed. May he forever be remembered for his sparkling blue eyes, his giving spirit, his rambunctious humor, and his beautiful smile.

Memorial services will be held at Discovery Christian Church, 27555 Alessandro Blvd in Moreno Valley, on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 1 pm, with a private reception following.