Ronal Joseph Langseth, 1966-2023

Ronal Joseph Langseth, 56, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2023 in his residential town, Valdez Alaska.

Ronal was born May 4, 1966 in Rapid City, SD to Garvin and Yonne Langseth, where he lived a simple, loving childhood alongside his older brother, Ross Langseth.

Ron participated in extracurriculars such as baseball, wrestling and marching band, and had the opportunity to work for his Dad’s construction company growing up. Ron was very fond of his father and enjoyed learning about heavy equipment, construction, and rebuilding cars. Ron attended school in Rapid City, was proud to be from North Rapid, and graduated from RCC, along with Black Hills State, leaving with a degree in Education.

While attending Black Hills State, Ron met Wendy Kennedy, the love of his life. Shortly after college they were married in Valdez, Alaska, summer of 1992. Ron and Wendy then moved to Alaska and built a beautiful home in the Copper River, where they each pursued careers in education, teaching in the Copper Basin, and then began raising their two girls, Zoe and Linnea.

Ron was a fisherman, a hunter, and soon became a pilot as he fell in love with aviation too. Over the years, Ron built several airplanes and cabin structures. There was nothing he couldn’t do. Ron took his family on one-of-a-kind adventures with his plane. He was the most amazing father and husband.

Ron greatly loved all of his education kids and loved spending time with them in the gym, on the field, or around the tracks of Alaska. Ron too, loved the Copper River and cared deeply for the children’s education, arts, and athletics there. In 2012, Ron relocated with his family to the coastal town of Valdez, Alaska, where he continued coaching, teaching, and inspiring.

When Zoe and Linnea were in high school, Ron especially took pride in their academic and sporting endeavors and even had the opportunity of coaching them too, and through several state championships. Ron took great pride in witnessing his wife, Wendy, in her many endeavors of kindness, teaching, and being a mom. They shared a special life, a special love. He loved her and his girls dearly.

Ron was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer in February of 2018. Ron fought a battle like no other. He faced this life-altering news with a heavy desire to beat it, and a very positive outlook; he did anything and everything to have just a little more time with his family. He refused to ever give up, never stopped believing, and always encouraged others to fight the fight. After almost five years of weekly treatments, we lost our hero.

Ron is survived by his wife, Wendy Langseth; daughters, Zoe and Linnea Langseth; brother Ross Langseth; and nephews, Mikkel and Mathew Langseth (sons of Ross Langseth).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Garvin and Yonne Langseth.

Ron will be missed by all, as he touched the lives of many. His family will fondly remember him as they keep his memory near their hearts.

Services will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 26th, 2023, at the Civic Center in Valdez, AK. Ron’s ashes will rest in private locations, respecting his wishes.