Ronald Alexander Stremel

Ron was born December 18,1944 to Alex and Helen Stremel. He grew up with his parents and brother, Rick, in Torrance, California. The beach, bicycles, and basketball filled the boys’ days.

Ron and Linda (Nottelmann) met at UC Davis in 1966. They were married in 1968 and continued school until Ron graduated from the veterinary school in 1970. While in Davis, they developed an appreciation for Napa Valley wine tasting and camping and backpacking together.

The couple moved to Redondo Beach for Ron’s first job as a veterinarian and for Linda to attend physical therapy school. They enjoyed the beach and many trips to the surrounding desert and Baja to explore their beauty and unique plant and animal life. 1973 found them ready to leave city life.

After moves to Arcata and then Etna and the birth of their two daughters, Ron and Linda settled their little family in Mt Shasta in 1980. Ron opened Black Butte Veterinary Hospital on Truck Village Drive where he practiced small animal medicine for 35 years. The family home was on the property. Daughters, Megan and Shelby, enjoyed watching the activities of the clinic and riding their horses. Linda had dual careers of physical therapy and being Ron’s evening and weekend assistant. Everyone’s favorite job was “puppy rubbing” when Ron would call to the house for assistance reviving puppies after a c-section. Ron retired in 2006.

Ron loved his daughters above everything else and always kept the family busy with new and exciting adventures: skiing and snowboarding, rafting, house boating, backpacking, roadtrips, camping, water skiing. Megan and Shelby’s friends joined the fun. What special times.

In retirement Ron and Linda continued their adventures with recreational sports, RVing, cruising, and continued family activities and vacations. He loved family dinners and time spent together.

Ron passed away peacefully on March 22 surrounded by his loving family. He was finally at rest after a long battle with heart failure. Ron is survived by his wife and partner of 55 years Linda; daughter Shelby (Tony) Garcia, grandchildren Wyatt and Molly Garcia, all of Mt Shasta. He was predeceased by his daughter Megan Bainbridge.

Ron was interred at the Forest Burial Ground east of Ashland, a green burial site. A celebration of life will be planned for this summer. Donations may be made to any Siskiyou County pet non-profit or the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.