Rolland H. Upton, Jr.

ROLLAND "RON" H. UPTON JR January 29, 1928 ~ January 12, 2016 "Ron was an energetic, lovable, and multi-talented person." Rolland "Ron" H. Upton Jr. was born January 29, 1928 in Seattle, Washington. His parents were Rolland H. Upton Sr. and Charlie Sue Cassidy Upton. Ron passed away on January 12, 2016 in Vancouver, Washington. He grew up in southern California and then returned to the northwest where he graduated from University of Puget Sound. Ron attended graduate school at Columbia University on a Carnegie fellowship. He became superintendent of schools in the fast growing city of Livonia, Michigan, where thirty schools were opened during his administration. During his tenure Livonia became recognized as one of the top school districts in the state. Ron was a nationally sought after speaker, known not only for his expertise in his field but for his entertaining delivery and wonderful sense of humor. He also taught at Michigan State University. After retirement from Michigan, Ron became a consultant for California schools districts in Menlo Park and Irvine. He then retired to his home on Orcas Island, Washington where he sold real estate for many years. In Michigan, Ron bred and raced Standardbred horses for many years. He was inducted into the Michigan Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2009. Ron was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and acted in community theatre productions on Orcas Island and Hillsboro as well as commercial television. Ron loved helping others, especially young people and was pivotal in helping build improvements wherever he lived, such as the Family YMCA Center in Livonia, and The Orcas Island Community Center and Theatre. In all venues and situations, Ron was remembered and enjoyed for his ready wit and his wonderful way of making people laugh. Ron is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-six years, Jane Upton; his two daughters and their husbands, Sue and Kimbal Logan, and Jennifer and Jim Egan; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and his sister and her husband, Rosalee and Jerry Theirs. There will be a memorial service for Ron Upton February 6th at 12:30 at Evergreen memorial Gardens in Vancouver. Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Rolland H. Upton, Jr.

January 29, 1928 - January 12, 2016