RICHLAND, Wash. – Ronald E. Filipy, who was an employee of Washington State University’s College of Pharmacy from February 1992 to June 2005, died Sept. 14, 2017, at Kalec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Wash.
Filipy was born Jan. 9, 1940, in Grand Forks, ND. He grew up on a farm near Tabor, Minn., the oldest of four children. He graduated from what was, at that time, Crookston Agricultural College in Crookston, Minn., a boarding high school with a shortened school year for farm kids who were needed to help with spring and fall chores. While there, he excelled academically and graduated at the top of his class in 1958. He also played football and wrestled for the school teams, winning the all conference championship in wrestling his senior year.
He went on to attend Moorhead State College, and graduated with a biology major and minor in math. His first teaching job was in Fertile, Minn., where he taught junior high math. While he was a student at Moorhead State, he met his wife of 53 years, Karen Haakenson, a nursing student from Bismarck, ND. They met on a double blind date where he ended up with the other girl. They eventually got that straightened out and were married in Bismarck on June 6, 1964.
After their marriage, he continued his education, earning a Masters Degree in Science from Moorhead State College. He taught for two years at a small college in Mayville, ND, during which time Cheryl, their first child was born. They then moved to Corvallis, Ore., where he earned a Ph.D. in radiation biology. On the way to earning this degree, he arrived in Richland, Wash., on a 1-year NORCUS fellowship. That was in 1971 and they have lived in Richland ever since then.
Ron was employed by Battelle NW for 17 years in the biology and radiation protection departments. His last 17 years of employment were with the U.S. Transuranium and Uranium Registry, associated with HEHF and then Washington State University. This was a registry of people exposed to radiation in government facilities, who donated their bodies for research. He was director of this project for six years, before his retirement in 2005.
He considered the highlight of his career to be his involvement in a collaborative research project with his colleagues in Russia, who also became good friends of both him and Karen.
After he retired, his favorite pastimes were reading, playing golf and traveling.
He was a natural musician, playing the accordion, guitar, and piano only “by ear.” He was a longtime member of Richland Lutheran Church, Meadow Springs Country Club, Health Physics Society until his retirement, and AFS foreign exchange student program.
Preceding Ron in death are his parents, Sylvia and Elmer Filipy. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Cheryl (Tom) Cunningham, grandson Christian Cunningham, son David (Kynda) Filipy and granddaughters Lauryn, Makenna and Braelyn. He is survived by his siblings: Bob Filipy of East Grand Forks, Minnesota; Dale Filipy of Parumph, Nevada; and Jean Filipy Daniel of Mason City, Iowa. He is also survived by many friends who have, through years of steadfast friendship, become family.
Memorials may be made to Richland Lutheran Church Good News Media Ministry, SIGN, Hospice, or charity of your choice.