1925 - 2006

Ron was born in Estevan, Saskatchewan, where he attended high school. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a BSc in biology. He attended the University of Manitoba where he obtained his MD following a 1-year internship at the Winnipeg General Hospital.

From 1952 to 1954 he was a resident in internal medicine at Shaughnessy Hospital in Vancouver. He practised in Taber, Alberta, and North Burnaby before joining the Underhill Clinic in Kelowna in 1957. He completed his internal medicine specialty at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal in 1960 - 1961. 

Ron was on the staff of the Kelowna General Hospital until he retired in 1997. He was a man who enjoyed his work and the many challenges it brought. No matter what time of day or night, Ron always tried to meet the needs of his patients.

Ron loved to play the piano. His passion for music led him to embrace the challenge of playing the bagpipes, which often kept his family up all hours of the night. He was a proud member of the Kelowna Legion Pipe Band for 43 years. In his memory the band has established the Dr Ron Ellis Scholarship for eligible young pipers.

He was a long-standing contributing member of the Gyro Club. Sport also played a big part in Ron’s life. He was a season pass holder at Big White since 1964 and enjoyed not only downhill but cross-country skiing. Golf was an ever-challenging game that he endured with his family, friends, and colleagues. 

A man who had many interests, Ron especially enjoyed dancing, boating, hiking, bird-watching, and road trips in the company of family and friends. Everyone will remember how much Ron enjoyed making puns, which usually resulted in laughter or groans from family or friends.

Ron embraced life to the max. He was a very positive and supportive husband, father, brother, and friend. His smile, compassion, and sense of humor were ever-present. He was proud of his family.

Ron was predeceased by Lois, his beloved wife of 52 years. He is survived by his sisters, Ruth and Gwen and by his loving family, Ann (David), Doug (Jane), Jocelyn (Ken), Bruce (Kelly), and nine grandchildren.

--Cliff Henderson, MD
Kelowna