Charles Ronald (Ron) Chatburn

("Ron") Charles Ronald Chatburn

Born on March 9, 1945 - Died on April 23, 2026 

Ron Chatburn was our family’s kind and gentle Superman! Being so strong, so wise, so humble and being the man we would have chosen so gratefully as our brother, cousin, husband, father, uncle and grandfather. He was a good listener, making us feel loved, valued and appreciated – Gentle, Generous and Kind. 

Ron was born in Boise, Idaho to Joe and Yvonne Chatburn, where he freely rode his bike, built a tree house over an irrigation ditch and dug caves in the garden. He was the second oldest of four children and was lovingly spoiled by his three sisters. The youngest two wanted to carry his heavy Sunday newspaper bags and ran to untie his snowy ski boots. The oldest sister gave him the gift of rebuilding her little cabin on Lake Slocan – including running water inside! Ron’s mom spoiled him by making steak dinners for him and a friend before their high school wrestling matches. He was so supported and he almost always won! 

The family moved to Cheney, WA in 1959 where Ron graduated from Cheney High School in 1963, lettering each of three years. The summer following graduation he and friends traveled in 1964 to NYC for the World’s Fair. What an adventure! Ron worked at the Tower of Light and enjoyed the NYC nightlife. When he returned from the fair, he went to Eastern Washington State College (EWU), graduated with a Political Science degree and went on to Law School at the University of Washington, graduating in 1971. We now had a lawyer in our family! 

Just after graduating out of Law School in 1971, Ron and two other Grads set up the Seattle Human Rights Department in the City of Seattle for the City Council. He served for 9+ years as a Lead Attorney in the Human Rights Department. He had a deep commitment to the less fortunate and the rights of all individuals. While in Seattle he met and married Susan McTighe in 1970. Being the remodeler that he was, Ron made rooms to rent in a couple of houses in Seattle and eventually purchased a fixer upper overlooking the bay in West Seattle. In 1975. This became his home along with his new wife, Lin McGinn (Married in 1981). A few years later in 1983, Ron and Lin moved to Spokane to be closer to Lin’s mother and family, which put them closer to Cheney and Ron’s family, too! Ron and Lin bought an old (1906) historic house built by Curtlin Cutter and restored it to be a beautiful home. 

Our dear brother was unsure if he wanted children. When Lin expressed the desire, Ron went along with the plan. Their darling baby girl, Darlea, was born in December of 1985. “She looked right into my eyes” he told us and was eager to show her off. He was smitten. Then in June of 1988 they added a son, Charlie. Lin and Ron were delighted with their family. 

Ron invested in low-income properties in Spokane to ensure that housing would be available for those who needed a home. His law degree was helpful in setting up the properties and dealing with rental agreements. He made many life-long friends, hiring helpers to remodel and paint. He stopped practicing Law in 2023. This was his career until the time of his death at 81 years of age. 

There were many interests in his life: Scouting as a youth, attaining Eagle Scout and becoming a Scout Master for his daughter and son (Darlea and Charlie were awarded their Eagle Scout as well); He loved to water ski and disc ski (having his younger sister riding on his shoulders), and drive the boat for others to ski;  Snow skiing, National Ski Patrol, teaching all ages to ski at 49 Degrees North and making many friends; Anything needing repair or remodeling was right up his alley. He would think about it and later dive into the projects using odds and ends from his “resource pile.” They turned out “perfect.” He drove to Cheney, Federal Way, Seattle and Marysville to advise and correct family fix-it needs. 

Lin and Ron drove their motor home to the Sawtooth mountains near Stanley, Idaho. They often gave Mom a ride (after Dad passed) to meet up with the Duffy-Hepworth family. Many of Mom’s relatives joined them for discussion of the silver mine, laughter, love and good camp food.

A Chatburn family gathering place was added to the shores of Lake Slocan in New Denver, BC. The lake had glorious blue skies matching the color of the glacial lake; swimming, water skiing, building campfires, spiritual discussions, songs and a big old house in which to stay (many needs and projects) and all enjoyed the starry nights and full moons.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Yvonne Chatburn. Ron is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Lin McGinn, his sisters, Peggy O’Connor, Patricia Conant (Richard Conant) and Alonna Chatburn (Gordon Sherling), his daughter Darlea Chatburn (Brant Fitzner) and son Charlie Chatburn; grandchildren Samson Chatburn, Harris and Sage Fitzner, many nieces and nephews; Linda Skywalker, Sadie Chatburn, Chris Conant (Lizzie), Gabe Conant (Caroline), Portia Gilman (Shane Gilman), Jon Conant and great-nieces and nephews; Juliet Conant, Violet Conant, twins Sylvia and Simon Conant, Joseph Conant and Franklin Conant. 

You can tell that Ron Chatburn will be dearly missed. His love and talents, honesty, and integrity have been shared with us and the next generation. We will love Ron forever. 

A life well-lived is a legacy of joy and pride and pleasure, a loving, lasting, memory our hearts will always treasure. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:  The Fatherhood Initiative (SpoFI), 711 E 3rd Ave., Spokane WA, 99202