Ronald Reid Northrup

Ronald Northrup

October 8, 1932 - July 3, 2026

The Reverend Dr. Ronald Reid Northrup went home to be with the Lord, passing peacefully surrounded by family at the remarkable age of 93. His life was full of love, generosity and kindness, and his memory will forever live in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.

Born in Oneonta, New York on October 8, 1932, to Donald and Jeannette Northrup, Ron’s childhood was filled with simple joys and small-town charm. He grew up with his younger brothers, Ralph and Shawn, whistling for the milk wagon, riding beside his father on early-morning deliveries and waving proudly as his grandfather drove the greyhound “doggy” bus through town. These humble moments shaped a boy whose curiosity, warmth, and sense of wonder would follow him throughout his life.

As he grew, Ron found a home in athletics. He loved to run. He became the star quarterback at Cobleskill High School football team and stayed active playing basketball and running track. After graduating high school he attended Union College, where he joined Phi Delta Theta and continued to grow intellectually, spiritually, and socially.

It was during college that he met his wife Jean, the love of his life. Returning home for a blind date arranged by her best friend, Ron took Jean to her prom. From that moment on, their lives were beautifully intertwined, going on to share 74 wonderful years of marriage and raising three children together.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts at Union College, Ron was ordained after earning his Master of Divinity from Drew Seminary in 1957 and began his ministry as a pastor for the North Chatham United Methodist Church. He guided congregations in Galway and Scotia until his calling led him west, where he built a life rooted in faith, service, and community, supporting congregations in Central Park United, Yakima Wesley, Coeur d'Alene, Bellevue Saint Peters, Oak Harbor, Wenatchee, Pomeroy, Moses Lake, and finally Goldendale. Driven by an endless thirst for knowledge, he earned his Master of Education from Central Washington University in 1978 and later completed his Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1990.

Ron was a lifelong learner and a devoted teacher. He had a passion for discovering new things and sharing those learnings with others. He was equally at home with his hands in the dirt cultivating a garden, catching the wind on the open water while sailing, losing himself in the beauty of music, or exploring the cutting edge of new technology. He loved sharing these passions with anyone willing to lend an ear.

Ron’s favorite springtime activity was meticulously poring over seed catalogs to plan his upcoming garden. His lifelong enthusiasm and expertise eventually earned him the official title of Master Gardener from Washington State University. Though his green thumb was undeniable, his ambitious plans didn't always go exactly as intended, such as the year he planted so much corn it was literally growing out of their ears.

While he didn’t grow up sailing, he was hooked after a friend invited him to join a race on the lake in Coeur d’Alene. That single afternoon on the water sparked a lifelong passion, and he fell in love with sailing with a goal to beat his friend in a race.

Ron was also a self-taught pianist whose love of music, especially classical, never stopped. Whether he was playing in his own home or simply listening, music was a constant and comforting thread throughout his life.

Ron was dedicated to his community and youth mentorship. He was avidly involved in the Methodist summer camps for kids, where his smile would widen every time he was able to share his wisdom with younger generations or when the campers played along with his good humor, including the unforgettable summer they left a large sting ray in his bed.

Ron was a teacher at heart. He possessed an innate desire to share his vast knowledge of gardening, sailing, and life with anyone willing to listen. If you were lucky, you would be able to get your hands dirty helping him dig up potatoes in his garden or finding the longest green beans. If you weren’t lucky you ended up wet, when the sailboat heeled. He wanted to share his knowledge and leave the world a better place. He mentored the young, guided his peers, and never missed an opportunity to uplift someone with a patient lesson or a word of encouragement. His generosity of spirit touched countless lives, spreading a quiet wave of kindness everywhere he went.

Above all, Ron cherished his family and friends. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a loyal friend. After retiring as a church elder in 1998, he cherished spending time with his family, especially nurturing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passing his legacy of curiosity through stories, jokes, and the wisdom of a life well lived. He possessed a rare gift for making everyone feel valued and heard. He leaves behind a rich legacy of love, laughter, and spiritual strength.

Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Jean, and their 3 children, Peter (Cassie) Northrup, Sarah (Dan) Stafford and David (Angie) Northrup along with 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

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