Ronald William Lindgren

Ron was born in Bozeman, Montana, on December 18, 1941, to William and Alice (TeSelle) Lindgren.

His family moved onto Pleasant Holm Farm in Manhattan, Montana, on the day he was born—11 days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Ron was raised in a tight-knit Dutch farming community where Christian faith and family were a central focus of his upbringing. Ron’s maternal grandparents were some of the first Dutch settlers in Montana’s Gallatin Valley in the late 1800s.

Ron attended Manhattan High School where he excelled at sports—especially basketball—and was well-known for his left-handed corner jump shot. Upon graduation in 1960, Ron attended Seattle Pacific University. Following the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Ron decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy where he served for 4 years aboard the USS Hancock and USS Midway aircraft carriers as an aviation electronics technician with the VF-24 fighter squadron.

After his discharge, Ron moved to Portland, Oregon, where his two older sisters lived with their families, and began a career in the savings and loan industry with Far West Federal Bank. It was in Portland that Ron met and married the love of his life, Mickey (Fair) Lindgren, on March 15, 1969.

In 1972, Mickey and Ron moved to Helena, Montana, where Ron accepted a position with American Savings Bank (now Opportunity Bank of Montana). He remained with the bank for 15 years. During this time, two sons, Jon and Joel, were born.

Ron had a passion for flying and acquired his private pilot’s license soon after leaving the Navy.  Later, he obtained his commercial pilot’s license, instrument, and multi-engine ratings. From 1992 to 1997, Ron fulfilled a lifelong dream when he became a pilot for the Montana Governor’s Office during the terms of Governors Stan Stephens and Marc Racicot.

Ron and Mickey retired to Phoenix, Arizona, to be near their youngest son, Joel, and his family.  Living near his grandchildren, and being part of their lives, brought much joy and was a highlight of his life.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Mickey, his parents and two sisters Lorene (Lindgren) Lindsey, and Patricia (Lindgren) Jensen. He is survived by his two sons and their families. Jon William Lindgren of Ashburn, Virginia; his wife Caitlin and their two sons, Connor and Chris. Joel Alan Lindgren of Glendale, Arizona; his wife Lavinia and their four children Magdalena (Mrs. Ryan Mayer), Zachariah (Denisa), Joshua and Nadia.

As a young child, Ron by faith accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. His desire was to serve Him daily by his life and to be a strong Christian example to others.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 9a.m. on Monday, May 18 at Grace Bible Church in Sun City, Arizona. A private burial with military honors will take place at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Ron had a heart for missions and preferred memorials in lieu of flowers be sent to Ethnos360 Aviation or Grace Bible Church.