Posted By: Catyakker
Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife - 08/26/20 06:16 PM
Just received this email from a mutual friend of many of us here on the Forum. Please pass on your prayers for Mr Ron Smith and family. This is a great loss and he surely will be missed:
"It is with enormous sadness that I write to inform you of the loss and tragic passing of our TPWD-Inland Fisheries colleague, Ron Smith. Ron left our world on Saturday morning after a relatively brief but complicated series of health challenges. If you ever had the pleasure and privilege of knowing him, you would concur that Ron’s heart-warming smile and engaging personality, cheerful and calm demeanor, passion for our mission and heart for service will be a lasting legacy from his 57 years well-lived.
Ron joined TPWD in November 1999 as an Information Specialist in the Resource Protection Division. In that role, he was responsible for compiling information for our website on river access across Texas, which continues to be an important source of information for constituents. In 2004, he moved to the Inland Fisheries Division in Austin, where he remained for the duration of his career. In that capacity, Ron was an integral member of the multi-divisional Texas Paddling Trails team, and was an early proponent of introducing the public to paddling and all that our diverse Texas rivers have to offer. He and his colleagues enjoyed paddling across this great state, and even more importantly, working hard to ensure that others could enjoy those same experiences.
Ron’s career was accentuated by his dedication to getting people outdoors and sharing with them important messages of stewardship and natural resource conservation. Among his many duties, he coordinated Inland Fisheries exhibits at agency outreach events and managed the Angler Recognition Program. Ron was not only an exemplary employee, he loved the outdoors and enjoyed riding his bike, playing tennis, hunting, fishing, paddling, scuba diving, and playing his guitar any chance he could get. He and his beloved wife of more than 30 years, Kathy, delighted in traveling and were blessed to visit many other countries. They loved spending time with their two boys, Austin and Christian, and had many memorable family adventures. He was a cherished friend to so many of us, and will be deeply missed.
Ron’s dear friend and colleague, Melissa Parker, has shared some wonderful anecdotes from her vast memory bank of their (mis)adventures on Texas rivers, such as the Devils, Trinity, Neches, Sabine, and more. One anecdote was from the first time she drove a TPWD truck while pulling a trailer. Melissa confessed to being a little nervous pulling a trailer for the first time, but Ron provided continual reassurance as he gave helpful pointers as she headed down the road. When they pulled up to the first stop sign, they felt a bumping sensation as they slowed, and Ron reassured Melissa that she’d get used to it, and not to worry. She then looked in the rear and side view mirror to see the trailer and boat approaching on the passenger side. Melissa asked Ron if the trailer always pulled up beside the truck, or should she be concerned. Ron’s eyes reportedly got big as saucers as he bailed out of the truck saying, “Oops! I guess that was the wrong size ball; I thought it didn’t seem to fit right!” A quick trip to the nearest auto parts store averted the immediate crisis, but provided years of laughter and humorous reminiscence.
Ron graced us with over 21 years of exemplary and dedicated service to our Department and to the rivers, waters, and resources he loved. Along the way, he left an indelible mark upon all those he encountered. As he now paddles the big rivers in the sky, grinning all the while, I trust you will join me in comforting all who are now left behind. I respectfully ask that in particular you keep his beloved wife and sons, friends and family, and our Inland Fisheries colleagues and partners in your thoughts, prayers, and memories. They need them. Service arrangements are pending at this time, and we will keep you abreast as we know more.
Eternal paddling my friend. The state of Texas is indebted to you for making such a difference for our wild things and wild places and for everyone who gets to enjoy them."
Best,
C. Smith
Carter Smith | Executive Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
"It is with enormous sadness that I write to inform you of the loss and tragic passing of our TPWD-Inland Fisheries colleague, Ron Smith. Ron left our world on Saturday morning after a relatively brief but complicated series of health challenges. If you ever had the pleasure and privilege of knowing him, you would concur that Ron’s heart-warming smile and engaging personality, cheerful and calm demeanor, passion for our mission and heart for service will be a lasting legacy from his 57 years well-lived.
Ron joined TPWD in November 1999 as an Information Specialist in the Resource Protection Division. In that role, he was responsible for compiling information for our website on river access across Texas, which continues to be an important source of information for constituents. In 2004, he moved to the Inland Fisheries Division in Austin, where he remained for the duration of his career. In that capacity, Ron was an integral member of the multi-divisional Texas Paddling Trails team, and was an early proponent of introducing the public to paddling and all that our diverse Texas rivers have to offer. He and his colleagues enjoyed paddling across this great state, and even more importantly, working hard to ensure that others could enjoy those same experiences.
Ron’s career was accentuated by his dedication to getting people outdoors and sharing with them important messages of stewardship and natural resource conservation. Among his many duties, he coordinated Inland Fisheries exhibits at agency outreach events and managed the Angler Recognition Program. Ron was not only an exemplary employee, he loved the outdoors and enjoyed riding his bike, playing tennis, hunting, fishing, paddling, scuba diving, and playing his guitar any chance he could get. He and his beloved wife of more than 30 years, Kathy, delighted in traveling and were blessed to visit many other countries. They loved spending time with their two boys, Austin and Christian, and had many memorable family adventures. He was a cherished friend to so many of us, and will be deeply missed.
Ron’s dear friend and colleague, Melissa Parker, has shared some wonderful anecdotes from her vast memory bank of their (mis)adventures on Texas rivers, such as the Devils, Trinity, Neches, Sabine, and more. One anecdote was from the first time she drove a TPWD truck while pulling a trailer. Melissa confessed to being a little nervous pulling a trailer for the first time, but Ron provided continual reassurance as he gave helpful pointers as she headed down the road. When they pulled up to the first stop sign, they felt a bumping sensation as they slowed, and Ron reassured Melissa that she’d get used to it, and not to worry. She then looked in the rear and side view mirror to see the trailer and boat approaching on the passenger side. Melissa asked Ron if the trailer always pulled up beside the truck, or should she be concerned. Ron’s eyes reportedly got big as saucers as he bailed out of the truck saying, “Oops! I guess that was the wrong size ball; I thought it didn’t seem to fit right!” A quick trip to the nearest auto parts store averted the immediate crisis, but provided years of laughter and humorous reminiscence.
Ron graced us with over 21 years of exemplary and dedicated service to our Department and to the rivers, waters, and resources he loved. Along the way, he left an indelible mark upon all those he encountered. As he now paddles the big rivers in the sky, grinning all the while, I trust you will join me in comforting all who are now left behind. I respectfully ask that in particular you keep his beloved wife and sons, friends and family, and our Inland Fisheries colleagues and partners in your thoughts, prayers, and memories. They need them. Service arrangements are pending at this time, and we will keep you abreast as we know more.
Eternal paddling my friend. The state of Texas is indebted to you for making such a difference for our wild things and wild places and for everyone who gets to enjoy them."
Best,
C. Smith
Carter Smith | Executive Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
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