Ronald Albert Wagstaff

Ronald A. Wagstaff 1937 ~ 2013 Ronald A. Wagstaff, 76, passed away November 23, 2013 in Salt Lake City, UT. Ron, son of Frederick A. and Margaret Keachie Wagstaff, was born in Salt Lake City September 29, 1937. As a youth he was very active in Boy Scouts and attained the rank of Eagle Scout at age 13. He graduated from West High School, attended the University of Utah for one year and then enlisted in the US Marine Corp where he proudly served for three years during which time he was stationed, among other places, in Taiwan and Japan. After his discharge in 1959, he attended Westminster College. It was there in an English class he met the student nurse who would become his wife. He married Karma Lynn Christensen November 17, 1962 in the Manti Temple. They celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary just prior to his death. After graduation from Westminster he attended graduate school at the University of Miami in Coral Cables, FL. He attained a Master's degree in oceanographic engineering in 1966, and continued on to earn a PH D in 1970 in the same field with an emphasis in fluid dynamics. After graduation the family moved to San Diego, CA where Ron was an associate professor at San Diego State College for one year before establishing his career in research at the Naval Ocean System Center. From 1979-1982 he took leave from his job in San Diego to work at NATO SACLANTCEN, a NATO research facility in La Spezia, Italy. On his return to the states he continued his career as a chief scientist and principal investigator for the Naval Research Laboratory in Bay of St. Louis, MS, retiring in 2000. In September of 2000 he moved on to new research at the National Center for Physical Acoustics at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS where he was a senior research scientist and an associate professor of mechanical engineering. He retired "again" in 2009 and returned to Utah. His productive career over the years included numerous awards, patents, and publications. He was elected a Fellow in the Acoustical Society of America. Ron was an active and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. He was a counselor to four different bishops and also a counselor to the Italian Branch President while living in Italy. Ron and Karma, as service missionaries, managed the New Orleans Bishop Storehouse for two years, a special and rewarding experience. On return to Utah Ron and Karma were finally close to a temple where they could attend weekly sealing sessions with a very special group of senior friends. They were very grateful for that sweet opportunity. Ron was preceded in death by his young son, Ben Aaron; parents; stepfather, Archie Berryman; brothers Stuart, Philip Dale; and sister Helen (Harold) Davis. Survived by his wife, Karma; 4 children and their spouses, Kristen (Matt) McDevitt, Brad (Amanda Athey), Leah (Erik) Lund, Carrie (Karl) Meyers; sisters-in-law, Donna Wagstaff and Mary Wagstaff; and 9 amazing grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 30, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Church Building, 3450 S 6400 W where a viewing will be held 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Lehi City Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of McDougal Funeral Home. Place of Birth:Salt Lake City, UtahPlace of Death:West Valley City, UtahOccupation:Engineer