Ronald Deiro ’56 passed into the presence of Jesus on April 21, 2011 after a long illness. His family surrounded him with their sweet voices and the sounds of their guitars as he was passing. He was 75. Ron was born in Stockton, Calif., May 9, 1935, to Peter and Fernanda Deiro. There he graduated from high school and went on to the University of Santa Clara, where he graduated with a B.S. degree. Later in life, he went back to school and received his master’s from St. Mary’s College and a lifetime community college teaching credential from the University of California, Berkeley. Ron’s career, mostly in the field of clinical laboratories, spanned 44 years. Those who worked for and with him are unanimous in their love and admiration, which shows the true measure of Ron. Ron was interested in history, art, literature and the theater. He had a passion for gardening, wrote poetry, loved to cook, and was just beginning to paint with watercolors when he was stricken with dementia. When he retired, Ron really wanted to use his time to make a difference in his new community. Almost immediately after moving to Grass Valley, Ron began working with an animal rescue group, and he started helping out at Interfaith Food Ministry. He became a Master Gardener and enjoyed teaching classes, working plant sales, etc. He designed the landscaping for three Habitat for Humanity homes in Grass Valley. Ron’s particular interest was in helping children, so he donated to Blood Source on a regular basis, because his type was used in the treatment of a particular disease that afflicts children. He was a member of Native Sons of the Golden West, and participated in its program that helps children who are born with cleft palates. He became a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and worked with them to raise money for Mount St. Mary’s School. Ron was loved by and will be greatly missed by his wife on 55 years, Joan; his son, Mick and daughter-in-law, Shelly; his daughter-in-law, Angela; granddaughter, Melissa; grandsons, Patrick, Caleb, Jordan, Gabe; step grandchildren, Sean, Alison, Ryan; cousin, Frank; many nieces and nephews and their spouses and children; and his many friends. Ron was preceded in death by his son, Timothy, and his parents. His family and friends remember him as a very kind-hearted man.