Ronald Edward Taitch, born Oct. 1, 1946, passed away peacefully Dec. 26, 2015, at Hospice House, Spokane, after a 22-month struggle with pancreatic cancer. Born to Marvin and Glenna Taitch of Spokane and Steptoe, he attended Wilson Elementary, Lewis and Clark High School, and Central Washington University, (B.A. in Philosophy, 1969). Ron was physically powerful and always involved in athletics. He qualified for the Senior Olympics in the breast stroke in 1999, played recreational football (his team won the State Championship one year), and when he retired was the Commissioner of Senior Basketball in Venice, Florida, where the league has been named after him. He retained many dear friends throughout his life who remained loyal during his final months.

A true "character," Ron conversed with people from all walks of life and always wore something creative and distinctive. His employment included positions at McGinnis Paper Company and Warren Little and Lund in Spokane. He belonged to the Longshoreman's Union in Portland, owned a clothing store in Tempe, and managed car sales in Boston, New York, and Florida. He is a member of Temple Beth Shalom and formerly a member of Spokane Rotary and the Spokane Club. Ron is survived by daughter Sarah McGinn, her children Madeline, Dylan, Bo, Molly, Maggie, and Abby, plus son Tyrone, his wife Heather, and their children Levi and Leila. Brothers Gary and Michael reside in Spokane, while sister Marlene lives in Seattle. Numerous cousins also survive him. A celebration of Ron's life will be held at Lincoln Center in Spokane on Saturday, Feb. 6, with an AV presentation at 7 pm. Register at www.lc65.com/. Please direct any memorials to Gretchen Green at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Cancer Clinical Research, 1100 9th Ave. D4-CRP, Seattle, WA 98101-2795. Donate online at www.BenaroyaResearch.org .

Ronald Edward Taitch
October 1, 1946 - December 26, 2015

If you can attend the memorial, please RSVP Carol Ellis at carolellisspokane@hotmail.com . 

Catapult: Cancer with Ron
Copyright 2016 by Carol Ellis
All rights reserved
ISBN 978-1-68418-502-3
Cover art by Helen Hansen
Photo by Chris Crick

All proceeds go to the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, for Cancer Research
Donate online and enter Ron Taitch in the comment section at www.benaroyaresearch.org  
Mailing address: Virginia Mason Foundation
P.O. Box 1930, Seattle, WA 98111-1930

Book Sale
Saturday May 6, 2017
Outside on LC West campus
2-4 pm