Capt. Ron Murdock, 87, flew west on April 27, 2021 in the compassionate care at Providence Hospice.

Ron was born on May 6, 1933 in Toledo, Ohio to James and Hazel Murdock. He had three brothers, one (Jon) who passed away at only 5 years old. Ron was the middle child between his brothers Jim and Bruce.

After high school, Ron entered Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio. Ron was known for his intelligence and scored in the top 2% on the Mensa IQ test. He attended Case Institute for two years before entering the USN Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program. Ron was assigned to NAVCAD class “I-54” at NAS Pensacola. He endured the military training and excelled at flying. While a cadet, Ron sang with the Naval Aviation Cadet Choir.

Ron acquired his “Wings of Gold” and commission in the United States Marine Corps in May 1955 and was reassigned to Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-312 at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. Ron was later reassigned to a night fighter interceptor squadron flying the Douglas F3D Skyknight, a two-man aircraft with a pilot and radar operator. He was land based but was field carrier qualified.

Ron was hired by Northwest Orient Airlines (NWA) on May 23, 1958. His career at NWA started in the DC-4. During his NWA career, Ron also flew the DC-6, DC-7, the Boeing 707 series, the DC-10 and both the 747 classic and 747-400.

During his airline career, Ron also wrote many articles for various airline pilot publications. Ron officially retired from Northwest Airlines on his 60th birthday on May 6, 1993.

During his early career, a stewardess named Bonnie Herrman caught his eye. After a short courtship, Ron and Bonnie were married on June 21, 1962. Ron and Bonnie raised three daughters together, Kelly, Kristy and Jamie. They lived in Spokane, Wash., where they raised horses before moving to Bellevue, Wash. In 1983 the couple built their retirement home by Lone Lake on Whidbey Island, Wash.

Ron is survived by his wife Bonnie; daughters Kelly Murdock, Kristy Murdock and Jamie O’Malley; his brothers Jim Murdock and Bruce Murdock; three grandchildren, Jake O’Malley, Katie O’Malley and Gene Kelly Boyle.

Ron’s celebration of life will continue through the memories and stories of his family and friends. He was one of the “good ones.”