Ronald Gary Breckwoldt

Ron grew up in San Francisco California, and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1968. From an early age Ron enjoyed motorcycles, hot rods, sports cars, aviation and water skiing. Ron, after high school worked full-time and attended technical school at night, learning the craft of auto body paint and repair. He later went on to become an accomplished auto, motorcycle and aviation painter.

Ron in is spare time was also restoring and modifying his own hot rods, sports cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed rock and roll and Blues music. Ron and his friends attended many concerts at the historic Fillmore West and the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

Ron left California for Kansas in the mid-1980s at the urging of his friend Mike whom he met in California in the late 60s during the West Coast "Hippie" movement. He purchased and restored a historic Victorian home in Olathe, Kansas where he lived for years. He also restored many pieces of antique furniture for his home and learned the art of stained-glass.

Ron had experience as a commercial truck driver in California and returned to driving a commercial truck and traveled all over the U.S. Ron continued with his hot rod, sports car, motorcycle, antique furniture restoration and stained-glass hobbies in his spare time.

Ron was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2012 at age 62. The disease ultimately crippled him, and he was forced to move into assisted living and eventually a full care nursing home. He felt "cheated" by MS, and the cruel manner in which the disease altered his life, however he commented many times, "I'd rather it be me than a little kid.

"Ron passed away at Advent Medical Center in Merriam, Kansas on Memorial Day, following a brief illness, which generated Sepsis. His final hours were peaceful as he listened to classic rock and roll music and rested comfortably. Ron was a Free Spirit and his Spirit lives on.

Ron was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis, and father, Robert Breckwoldt. He is survived by his step-mother, Juanita Breckwoldt of Oregon, his sister, Suzanne Breckwoldt of Oregon, half brother, Donald Breckwoldt of California, and step brothers, Robert Breckwoldt of Oregon, and Ken Breckwoldt and his spouse May Ng-Breckwoldt of Washington.