Ron was born and raised in Gilroy, CA where he attended E.E. Brownell School and was the Valedictorian of his graduating class at Gilroy High School. He earned an Associate in Arts at Hartnell College and a Bachelor in Science, Civil Engineering, at the University of California, Berkeley.
His professional career spanned over 33 years with the County of Santa Clara, retiring as the Deputy Director of Road Operations. He worked on and contributed to the Hellyer Park Velodrome, County Expressway and Light Rail systems. Ron went on to serve as a Consulting Engineer with Boster, Kobayashi & Associates in Livermore. Most importantly, he enjoyed the people that he had the opportunity to work with throughout his career.
Ron enjoyed skiing, tennis, basketball, bowling and volunteering his time coaching youth sports.
Ron is survived by his wife of 30 years, Susan Shields, daughters Patricia Shields and Karen Flook (Fred), sons Michael Shields and Steven Shields, step-children Julie Reed (Rick), Bonnie Dahlin and Scott Dahlin, brother Russell Shields (Fran), sister Jeanette Dorn, seven grandchildren and five nieces and nephews.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents Everett and Daphne Shields, and step-daughter Kathy Dahlin.
A celebration of life in honor of Ron will be held at the Morgan Hill Community Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill, Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:30 am.
