Ronald John Berry

died unexpectedly on April 13th while bicycling the Discovery Trail in Port Angeles.He was born on at the Winslow Clinic on May 28th, 1950. He graduated Bainbridge HS in 1968, earned a BS in Physics from Seattle U in 1972 and a Masters in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Washington in 1974.His first job was at a nuclear plant in Richland WA where he stayed for four years. He met his wife Kristy shortly before he moved back to Bainbridge Island. They were married soon after starting his next job at Pan American World Services, a facilities engineering division of the airline at the Bangor base.During this time, Ron took advantage of the benefits of working (however peripherally) for an airline and travelled the world while enduring, with humor, his wife's hysterical fear of flying. They traveled to Hong Kong, Australia, several times to London, Copenhagen and Jamaica; basically as much as they could afford on their limited budget. Ron loved to travel but he especially loved being upgraded to first class where he availed himself of EVERYTHING that was offered.They bought a home on Grow Avenue where his first son, Aaron was born in 1987. Two and a half years later, their second son Max was born. Between births, he changed employment to Harris Group, a Seattle engineering firm. Ron loved the large scope multi-year projects he initially worked on. It was there he was able to refine his interpretation of work/life balance, which was essentially work until the job is done to "right" and if there is time left over and you are not too tired - then have some fun.His passion for engineering essentially defined him. He found great satisfaction in doing anything mechanical, which ranged anywhere from changing oil in his car or motorcycle to designing his own septic system. In more recent years, he combined this with his passion for motorcycles, most notably the complete rebuild of his first motorcycle, a 1977 Honda CB750 SS. He disassembled, refurbished and reassembled the entire motorcycle. Since a manual written in English did not exist, he was compelled to create his own by documenting each step using photographs of each step of the disassembly. His mastery of the use of the checklist came in particularly handy during this job and his children will forever remember this particular skill. We have always recognized his patience and persistence but even we were shocked when, at first attempt, the Honda fired up and ran. Ron thrived on projects such as these, and family and close friends will agree that he was always happiest tinkering in his "shop".He was probably one of the few motorcyclists commuting on the Bainbridge ferry run present all winter - rain or snow. Ron spent many weekends when the weather was good taking off on a ride, either with a son, his motorcycle "buddies" or on his own. He looked forward to his semi-annual motorcycle rides with about as much joy as one could ever detect from him because he was also the master of understated enthusiasm. His enjoyment was always subject to some code book of interpretation. Three things which always made him very happy and did not require interrogation were - spending time with anyone in his family, riding his motorcycle, and going to Lake Chelan.Hiking, bicycling, skiing, camping, fishing, boating, yak pak kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling - you name it - if it was doing something outdoors he was there or wanted to be. Not much deterred doing something fun. There were many adventures which began on a shoestring, Clampett-style where memories were made and lessons learned. He took many trips to Blake Island in a leaking sixteen foot skiff loaded with the family, a lab, and full camping gear with two inches of freeboard and a dock full of disbelieving onlookers.Ron was full of ironies - he was kind and exceedingly gentle but coveted his firearms. He was a maddeningly cautious and safe driver and yet was known to "open up" the throttle on his exceedingly powerful Yamaha FZ1 motorcycle given some open road, leaving his son in the dust. He could be virtually silent for hours but out of nowhere make a single comment that would leave you doubled up from laughter.He leaves a legacy of principled and moral living for his wife and children that will undoubtedly serve to direct them for the rest of their lives. He was able to convey moral strength and principles, typically by example, but there was never any doubt with regard to the right path.The funeral is at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church on April 27th at 10am. A Celebration of his life will immediately follow at The Manor House in Lynnwood Center. We would especially like to invite any of his friends who would share a story to join us at the celebration. Memorial Contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association.