Ronald Clyde Balderrama entered this life on Sept. 14, 1946 in Phoenix, Ariz. and left for his eternal life on Aug. 31, 2007 in San Jose, Calif. As a child his family moved and settled in Boise, Idaho when he was three years old. He attended schools at Adams Elementary and South Junior High. At this juncture there was a work related move where the family settled for several years, and Ron ended up graduating from a small rural Idaho school-- Grandview High. Afterwards he intended to further his education and attended Boise Junior College for a semester and worked as a physical therapy aide at the Idaho Elks Hospital. At this time he was drafted to serve his country during the Viet Nam era and was in the Army for four years. At the time of his discharge from the service, he had spent a lot of time in California. He grew to love this state and decided to stay. He restarted his college path and began attending a community college. Ron realized that education was his passion and pursued graduate work for his masters and Ph.D. at Berkeley UC. Afterwards he taught at the University of Santa Cruz for several years and then moved to the San Jose area when he met his wife of 25 years--Kathy Hattori. Ron's work was forever focused on educating students, family, friends, and those of the Hispanic community. He always had such an extremely witty (very funny), curious, and intelligent mind. Those who knew him never left a conversation without discussing a philosophical aspect of life, having a lively debate, laughing a lot in between, and leaving without a smile. Ron made many friends during his life. Most of all he loved and cherished his family. Despite of distance he always kept in touch with a phone call to his immediate family, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Ron was especially close and supportive of his parents and often checking in by saying, "Hi Ma!" Ron was preceded in death by is niece Christine Therese Kyger. He is survived by his wife Kathy Hattori, parents Jesus and Manuela Balderrama, his sisters, Nel Balderrama-Slocumb (John), Toni Allen (Rich), nephews John Kyger (Rebecca) and Robert Kyger (Nicole). Also his nieces Lindsay and Hillary Allen, in addition to many extended loving family members. A memorial service will be held in Ron's honor at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery, Friday Nov. 30, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. Ron we will forever love you, keep you close in our hearts, and miss you.
Published in the Idaho Statesman on 11/29/2007.