Ronald Lowell Dearing

Ronald L. Dearing

1938 – 2022

 Ronald Lowell Dearing (Ron), beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on May 14, 2022. He was born in Los Angeles, California on August 16, 1938 to the late George Arthur Dearing and Ollie May McMurtrey Dearing. He had two younger siblings, Roxana Gay Dearing Alberti-Chappell and Mark Stuart Dearing. They grew up in various locations in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.

He attended Van Nuys High School, where he met his wife and life partner, Barbara Lee Ferrell Dearing. They were married for 63 years until her death in 2020. He was a member of the high school football team, and he worked summers as an electrician’s apprentice for his uncle. He remained skilled at DIY projects throughout his life, and he could repair just about anything. Following high school, Ron worked full time while continuing his education, and he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from West Coast University. Most of his engineering career focused on computer printer development, including impact, non-impact, and laser printers. He was particularly proud of his contribution to the development of handheld printers (like the ones now used to print receipts) and of his ability as a manager to bring together and coordinate teams of people to develop great products. His colleagues described him as a stern, intimidating softie. One of his friends shared that his employees sometimes referred to him as “the velvet steamroller.” He maintained contact with a handful of close friends from early in his career well into his retirement. Ron and Barbara raised their three children, Craig, Ronda, and Gena, in the San Fernando Valley—their first house was in Van Nuys, they moved to Panorama City in 1963, and then to Northridge in 1975.

His work at Genicom eventually led to Ron and Barbara’s move, in 1989, to Waynesboro, VA. They moved with both of Barbara’s parents (who were in their 80s), Craig and his wife Maureen, and Ronda. This move was quite a transition from their suburban life in California, but they took to their new lifestyle quickly. They bought a large rural property in the county in nearby Staunton, VA, where they built a custom house that they moved into in 1991. Due to circumstances related to his job, Ron ended up temporarily moving to back to California and then to Chicago (while Barb remained in Virginia). During his 3-year return to California, he enjoyed living and spending time with his daughter Gena and her family in Simi Valley.

He and Barbara traveled worldwide, including memorable trips throughout the U.S. as well as to Europe and Asia. Their many travel adventures included being in Kobe, Japan during the devastating 1995 earthquake and being in-flight home from Europe during the 9/11 terror attacks (which resulted in re-routing back to Scandinavia for several days until the air-travel ban into the U.S. was lifted). Ron enjoyed many hobbies. A fun project during the late 70’s was fully restoring a 1965 Ford Mustang. Ron was skilled at woodworking, both building furniture and woodturning, and in retirement, he was an active member of a woodworking club. He was an avid reader, and he particularly enjoyed reading about history as well as historical fiction and crime novels. He loved learning, and in later years he delved into many diverse topics using the Great Courses series.

He is survived by a son, Craig and his wife, Maureen (Waynesboro, VA);  daughter, Ronda (Orchard Park, NY); daughter, Gena (Wolfson) and her husband, Dale (Simi Valley, CA), and his four grandchildren, Rachel and Billy Dearing, and Sara and Jack Wolfson.

At his request, there will be no services.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a favorite charity of Ron’s, the City of Hope Attn: Donor Relations, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010-3000, https://www.cityofhope.org/giving/give-honor-or-memory or to a  favorite charity of your choice.

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