Ronald Lee Tegen

RONALD LEE TEGEN Aug. 3, 1940 – Sept. 5, 2010 Ronald was born in Portland, Oregon to Harold and Alice Tegen, of the West Stayton Tegen clan.  He graduated in 1958 from Oakland high school, home of the Oakland “Oakers”.  At that time Stayton’s own Joe Brock was a teacher at the high school and Ron respected him greatly. Ronald served in the US Navy from 1958 – 1961 on the USS Floyd B. Parks. Ron worked various jobs in the Santiam Canyon to support his family while attending Chemeketa Community College and receiving his degree in fire science.  He joined the Stayton Fire Department in 1968 as a volunteer and in 1974 became Stayton’s first paid Fire Chief.  Ron served as chief from 1974 until retiring in 2002.  He loved his family as well as his fire fighting family.  He enjoyed mentoring and encouraging people around him.  Ron was instrumental in the construction of the new Stayton Fire Station built in 1988, and joining the Rural and City fire services to form Stayton Fire District.  He was proud of his appointment to the Marion County Fire Defense Board and being it’s chief from 1979 until his retirement.  He was honored to serve on the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association Board. Ron was proud to be an American and an Oregonian and loved the outdoors.  He enjoyed history, hunting, camping, wood cutting, cooking and road trips to Reno, especially with Sam & Will Branch. Ron loved and is survived by his wife, Rose, his children, Ronda (Bob)Lehman, Rod Tegen, Randy (Leslie) Tegen and grandchildren, Evan (Heidi) Underwood, Trent, Kelsey, Wyatt and Rory Tegen;  his siblings, Deana (Jim) Wash, Kay (Connie) Paxton, Vicky Jones, and Danny Tegen. He was preceded in death by his brother Joe, and both parents. The public is invited to a Memorial Service that will be held at Stayton Fire Station on September 18 th at 2:00 p.m. Reception Following. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Stayton Volunteer Protection Co. #1 {SVPC#1) 1988 W Ida St. Stayton, Oregon 97383 Arrangements by Weddle Funeral Services, Stayton, OR. Online Condolences to Weddle-Funeral.com