Ronald Lee Struckman Obituary

Ronald Lee Struckman has passed away after leading an original and artistic life. He was born September 21, 1948, in Stockton, California. He passed away in Puyallup, Washington on the morning of May 3, 2020. He was an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana. He lived many places over the years, including Salem and Portland, Oregon, to Lynden, Kent, Ferndale, Bellingham, Tacoma, Puyallup, Washington. Also Evergreen, Colorado. He excelled at boxing and wrestling in his youth.

Ron grew up with seven siblings. His parents, Walter and Shirley, have preceded him in death. Those left mourning his loss include his children Tanya, Rhonda, Rian, Aleta, and Sean. He has many grandchildren and even great-granchildren, via his oldest grandson, Mason. He had told his son Sean that if ever he missed him, just look in the mirror. Those Struckman eyebrows went to many of his descendents, as did a creative side and potential for art skill. On the 19th of December, 2019, he sent a message to his daughter Aleta, showing an amazing airbrushed owl, done by his son Sean. "Tell me that don't run in the blood!" he'd captioned it. He went on to praise a drawing done by his daughter, and said it was the best day of his life, seeing them own their destiny with the talent. He had passed on something great, and that pleased him.

He was able to do handstands on a skateboard rolling downhill, and this was well into his forties. He could also go up and down multiple stairs, walking on his hands. As often as this was done, there must be photos somewhere. Those that saw it would never forget it.

As incredible as walking on his hands was, the greatest skill was certainly his artistic ability. He spent decades upon decades, not only making paintings that could be displayed on walls, but also painting cars, trucks, boats, signs, displays, and more. He taught airbrushing classes many times, and had many apprentices or proteges over the years. He was phenomenal with pinstriping, a beautiful specialty that few master. Gold-leafing, lettering, woodgrain effects, among many other skills such as sandblasting, etching glass, and welding were all part of his artistic arsenal. He painted monster trucks, like Super Pete, Monster Mash, and many others, years ago, along with rally cars, limos, and endless other things. Restoration of classic cars was a particular favorite for him. The Ford Model T he did was one he recalled fondly.

Another project he was proud of was a nativity scene with cutout silhouettes of all the gathered figures, painted beautifully. A very memorable piece. He would set it in the front yard out on Wiser Lake Road during Christmas season, and it had lights pointing up from the ground to illuminate it. People would frequently pull over to admire the detail, and take photos.

He had a life full of ups and downs, but the way he relayed his experiences made it all seem fantastic - he was gifted with storytelling talents as well. He could make it all enthralling, somehow. He went on Alaskan crabbing boats, just like the ones that were portrayed years later on Deadliest Catch. He had many stories about the sea. He loved to fish, too. He would bring in enormous fish, and tell stories of whirlpools and eagles and of course, fish. The fish he caught would be proudly held up and measured against the height of his kids. He had a smoker for salmon and would explain why certain wood gave it better results, tending to it patiently. He made beautiful fishing lures.

Some of his children have noted the parallels in his life and the movie Big Fish - it could seem too wild to be true, often embellished a bit for dramatic effect, and sometimes there were letdowns, but in the end, it was all there. He made life big and exciting for anyone around him, with a huge cast of friends he made over his years. He loved fairs, carnivals, and the circus - colors and lights and sounds. He had this heart of wonder that never grew up. At his paint shop on Wiser Lake, many decades ago, he let his kids decorate the walls with their art. He made time to play anywhere.

He also enjoyed nature, and taking in the beauty all around. He'd look at Mt. Baker like he hadn't seen it thousands of times before, saying, "Just look at that mountain..." as though it had taken his breath away. He loved to point out stars and constellations, encouraged his kids to marvel at the moon, the sky, the trees - the way he would say it, often in a hushed, awed tone, it was as if it was something special that only a few would get a chance to see. This wonder and amazement, that persisted in him, must have helped in his artwork. He would paint landscapes, dragons, images of faraway planets, asteroids, nebulas. Also sea life, but his paintings of tigers and castles were especially beloved, as well as his portayals of his favorite, eagles.

Ron excelled at mastering various hobbies. There was a place he'd gone when he was young that gave a monetary prize for an eight-ball-break - getting the 8 ball in the pocket on the first break of a pool game. He'd laugh as he explained that of course he'd gotten good at that, with a prize involved. He was able to demonstrate this trick many times in a row, well into his fifties, and probably never lost it. Chess was another game he had become exceptional at. He could rewind the chess game and explain each move and counter-move, how he had anticipated and set traps for various possibilities, while gleefully goading about how easily the other player had succumbed to his plotting. He loved word games, too.

There is no way to capture everything that happened in his life or show how he was unless you knew him. He pursued his passions and he took in the details. He had an amazing run, and the world will miss out on his laugh, his art, and his clever, competitive mind. Most of all, he loved and was loved.

He had started a fundraiser for St. Jude's Children's Hospital a few months before his passing. This would be a good place to make donations in his honor, instead of flowers, if that is desired.