Ron Setzer's Beat Leukemia fundraiser

Hi, Steve Wood here…

You may or may not know me, but if you’re receiving this message, you know my friend, Ron Setzer. Unfortunately I have some sad news to share.

Best shared by his loving, courageous wife, Emily:

Thursday, April 4, 2024:

"It's with a heavy heart I need to share that Ron passed away yesterday afternoon around 3:15 pm Mountain Time.

When I arrived at the hospital around 10 am, he was anxious and having a hard time breathing. There was a lot of activity around his room. Doctors had discovered that, in addition to his kidneys, his liver was failing. His bladder had also mostly ceased function. His body was pulling fluids to his core, mostly his lungs. We all knew, including Ron, that the time was near.

Palliative care physicians confirmed that his breathing patterns indicated end of life was imminent. With Ron's consent, we shifted our focus to comfort.

Bob and I were with him through the process, and he took his last breath just after The Beatles "I Feel Fine" started playing on his Beatles station. He wanted us to know he was ok. "Let It Be" came on next and the doctors confirmed he was gone.

This morning there was a duck in my backyard- unusual, and my first tulip opened. The boys know and are still in shock. I'm sure the next few days will be a rollercoaster of emotions.

He was one tough guy. He fought hard until the very end.

I know you're all wondering about services. Here are Ron's exact wishes:

"I direct that should my spouse and children wish to have a service of some sort, then it is my wish that they hold a celebration of life, possibilities, and music, with beer served."

He also wished to be cremated. He wanted Jamie and I to plan this celebration and with input and a little help from our friends, we're going to take our time and do it right. I anticipate that we will have this figured out and execute his wishes sometime this summer.

He loved you all.

-Emily

Obviously, Ron's family is facing uncharted, uncertain times ahead. The goal of this Go Fund Me page is to off-set and alleviate some of the unforeseen and mounting expenses arising during his care and from his unfortunate passing. This is a time to stand with Ron and his family and support our friend and coworker as kindly as we are able. Your generous contributions, no matter the amount, will help create a financial safety-net that will allow Ron's family to weather the storms of this sad, dark, devastating time in their lives and allow them time to feel sorrow, mourn and come to terms with their loss of Ron, a loving husband and father, and an equally passionate and compassionate gem of a man.

Cancer sucks! Thanks in advance for your kind support!

RIP Ron.....miss you friend.

Steve

Please note: Ron initially pushed back on the GFM concept, didn't want to ask for financial help, but as the medical bills began to arrive and the costs of his battle to beat cancer mounted he acquiesced.

"Many have asked how they can support financially. My dear friend and co-worker, Steve Wood has taken it upon himself to set up a GO FUND ME thing-a-ma-bob. I’ve donated to them but have never been on the receiving end. If that’s your jam, sweet. BTW, I saw the itemized bill for my first hospital experience, and it was more than what we paid for our house back in 2020 - and that was just for round one. Thankfully, I have excellent insurance through my excellent employer. But I’m now running on disability and the extent of my benefits. The short-term rental and any care giver costs I can offset are going to be on top of keeping the household afloat until March. In other words, I’ll humbly accept donations through the GO FUND ME thing on my behalf. Pride officially swallowed.”

-Ron- Fall 2023