Ronald Robert Gertz, 74

Ron Gertz, 74 years old, passed on Jan. 17, 2020, at his home in Post Falls. Ron was born Aug. 1, 1945, in Modesto, Calif., to Robert and Marvel Gertz. When Ron was young, he found a passion for photography. In 1965, he enlisted in the Army and received more training in that field. After basic training, he was stationed at the White House photo lab in Washington, D.C.

Ron met the love of his life, Carol Higgins, while on a blind date with her sorority sister. They were married on Aug. 9, 1968, and were married for 51 years. Carol preceded him in death by three weeks, dying on Dec. 24, 2019.

After getting married, Ron and Carol moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., where Ron attended Brooks University and received his B.A. in motion picture films. Their life travels took them to Florida, where daughter, Erin, was born in 1973. They then moved to Williamsburg, Va., where their second daughter, Darcy, was born in 1976. In 1979, the family moved to Sacramento, Calif., where their son, Joshua, was born in 1980.

Ron worked for his father, Bob, and with his brother, Gary, as a heat and frost insulator for Local 16. He retired in 2004 when he and Carol moved to Coeur d’Alene.

Ron is survived by his and Carol’s three children: Erin Rosburg of Rocklin, Calif., Darcy Winter of Koenigswinter, Germany and three grandchildren: Emma, Myles and Abby Winter; and son, Joshua of New York City; brother, Gary, and sister in-law, Janice Gertz of Post Falls, and brother-in-law, Richard Larson of Rathdrum.

Ron was an extremely devoted and loving husband to Carol — a true example of “in sickness and in health.” He was a wonderful father to his children and loved his grandchildren with all his heart. The family will announce a celebration of life at a future date.