Beautiful Team — with McMinnville Swim Team

A long time friend of the Hofrichter Family (he saw 5 of us thru to young adulthood);  Ron was swim coach, boss, hay hand, 4H leader and more.   Growing up, the swim pool was a home-away-from home; swim team, swim instructor, lifeguarding or office attendant; I spent a lot of time there!  More than a coach or boss, Ron was there to help us be our best.  Whether spinning coins across his fingers, catching flies one-handed, playing Capture the Flag in the Park, Whales & Minnows or hearing him say "pick it up" as he walked the deck during practice,  he seemed to have an innate sense of how to connect with all the kids in his orbit.    I feel lucky to have been one of those kids.  My sincerest condolences to his family; I know Ron will be remembered with great fondness and missed by many.  

Bend Invitational Swim Meet - circa 1970 ish

Ron and Yvonne lived across the street from us on Morgan Lane when we first moved to McMinnville.  They were wonderful friends and neighbors.  My sons also enjoyed the city pool while he was there.

My deepest condolences on Ron's Passing.      The world lost one of it's bright lights.

I was there on Ron's first day at McMinnville swim club as an annoying 7 year old with an excess amount of energy and a lack of focus.    I continued with him and the swim club, sometimes inconsistently,  until I was a junior in college.      He was a critical part of my growing up, though he probably didn't realize it.      There are many lessons he patiently imparted into my hard head, and many of them even found their way into my brain.     My strongest memory is the environment of welcome and acceptance that he created.    As I endured the storms of adolescence, Ron and the swim club was always a place that I was welcome, even if I had gone off to do other activities for awhile.      There were times that I really really really needed that.......     

This is too short to do him justice.

Sincerely

Ed Rissberger

what a wonderful man.He coached my my daughter and son Cole.Thank you the fond memories

As I write this, I'm staring at a photo on my desk of the 1983 McMinnville Swim Club team, which I was part of as an 11-year-old, with a smiling Ron Kam and a range of kids from elementary to high school age. Being on that team was one of the formative experiences of my childhood, and helped me fall in love with swimming. Ron Kam was such a great coach and mentor to so many of us. My condolences to his family and loved ones. Thanks Ron!

Dear Nancy and Wendy—-so many fun days spent with your family on the farm. I  am so sorry about your dad and am thinking of you.

Love-Shannon Dunn