Nov. 24, 1939-Nov. 12, 2023
Ronald Louis Kelsch, age 83, beloved father, husband and steward of the scriptures, returned to our Heavenly Father on Nov. 12, 2023, due to kidney complications.
He exemplified the principles of faith, service, love and the constant pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. Ron was born in Salt Lake City. At an early age, he questioned everything and searched for the truth. At the age of eight on the day of his baptism, he approached the baptismal font. As everyone was waiting, he went to the font and put his finger in the water. He then announced in front of everyone, “Nope, I’m not doing this.” He then ran out of the room. Born of goodly parents, Ronald was permitted to discuss and wrestle with questions until he eventually came to understand on his own. Months later, he was baptized. He continued this process of questioning and wrestling with established truths his whole life.
Ronald was a self–taught man in nearly everything. If there was a book on how to do something, he would find the book and follow the instructions. Sometimes he continued to test the water, other times he drained the whole font and took it all apart to see how it worked and how it was designed. Sometimes he loved the design and other times he would rewrite the instructions all over again to make it easier for others to follow.
As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in the New England States mission, where he had great compassion for those searching for truth.
Ronald returned from his mission to marry his sweetheart, Dori — the great balance of his life. Ronald was a logical, methodical introvert and Dori was an adventurous extrovert: a balance that would offer strength to both of them and to their children. Ronald and Dori had five children in six years and despite many challenges and difficulties, they brought up a happy, righteous generation. Despite being deaf in one ear, Ronald had the best listening ear that proved most valuable for his children in all stages of life.
Ronald had many jobs and careers. First, he had his own business with RK Productions where he produced film ads, mostly for Grand Central. Eventually, the opportunity took him and his family to Southern California, where he was an Advertising and Print Manager for the News Chronicle and later the Glendale News Press. After Ron and Dori became empty nesters, they returned to central Utah to take over the family business of running Cedar Crest: a bed and breakfast which had its own challenges. Cedar Crest would prove to be a valuable experience in which Ron worked with his children on many projects. They will all cherish this time with him forever.
Ronald did not have a vain bone in his body and always sacrificed his own needs to fulfill the needs of others.
Ronald was content as long as he had a little time and a corner to contemplate and write about mysteries of the universe. The theory of relativity, the epistemology of meaning and interpreting the scriptures were some of his favorites. In the late 1990s and near retirement, Ronald found his dream job as a technical writer for Autometer, proving it was never too late to do what you love.
In the early 2010s, life took Ron and Dori south to St. George, Utah, where they spent their golden years. At life’s end, Ronald hung on as he died and then came back, then died again and came back as his children stood at his bedside. His death represents his constant quest for understanding and his abiding love for his family. It was as if he wanted to go, but he still had questions; he still worried about his family. We found it funny that he constantly worried about his high blood pressure failing his heart. It was his heart that kept him alive: a heart for the love of his family and for the mysteries of the universe.
Ronald was preceded in death by his granddaughter Kandice Kitchen. He was also preceded in death by his sisters Jo Ann Kelsch and Kathy Schoenfeld Walter and his parents Clarence Kelsch and Rhoda Kelsch.
He is survived by his beloved wife Durian “Dori” Kelsch. He is also survived by his children and their spouses: Kenneth Kelsch (Shauna) , Manti, Utah; Keith Kelsch (Malissa), St George, Utah; Kristina Winkel (Darin), Sterling, Utah; Karoline Kitchen (Kevin), Richfield, Utah; and Karl Kelsch (Karla), Colorado Springs, Colorado; as well as 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Myrna Aagaard, Midvale, Utah; Jana Kay Conover, Orem Utah; Franz Kelsch, Washington, Utah; Kristine Simpson, Olivehurst, California; Susan Spencer, West Valley, Utah; and Mike Kelsch, Bountiful, Utah.
The funeral service, remembering his life, will be held on Friday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. at the LDS Chapel in Saint George at 166 South Main St., St. George.
Arrangements are under the care of Pine View Mortuary, 435-986-4222. Visit the Pine View Mortuary website for full obituary and funeral service listing.