Ronald L. Welch was born Sept. 15, 1941, in Cottage Grove, Oregon, as the first son of Virgil and Mildred Welch. He passed away Oct. 4, 2025, in St. George, Utah.
Ron lived primarily in Nebraska until moving to Santa Clara, Utah in 2010. He graduated from Ogallala High School and attended Kearney State College, where he obtained a BA in Education. Ron taught English, History, and French in Hampton from 1963-66. Ron served in the Army from 1966-69, spending 1968 in Vietnam as a mental health specialist. Ron returned to teaching for two additional years in Brule before attending UNL. There he earned a Master’s in counseling psychology in 1974.
After working with community mental health centers, he started a private counseling practice in eastern Nebraska, focusing on the needs of children and families. Ron was active in the Milford United Methodist Church, and later the Spirit of the Desert Episcopal Church in Utah. Ron was also a member of the American Legion.
Ron was a passionate sports fan of both his children’s teams and Nebraska football. He is remembered for his contagious laugh, patience and kindness to others.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his brother Roger, wife Julia (Christoffersen), and seven children and stepchildren: Shaun (Anne Chacon) Welch, Shannon (Aaron) Welch-Groves, Jason Welch, Nickolas Welch, Amanda (Adam) Schellpepper, Skye Stinson (and partner, Haley Melvin), and Kurtis Welch. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Trevor, Megan, Gunnar, Cameron, Braylon, Weston, Miles, Kayson, Jayda, Nellie and Gracie, as well as two great-grandchildren, in-laws and numerous friends.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, June 6, at 2 p.m., at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
