Ron Seibel

Ron Seibel passed away in Moses Lake on Oct. 5, 2026, just two months before his 80th birthday. He was born Dec. 11, 1946, to Ralph and Enid Seibel.

Ron devoted 35 years to teaching and coaching in Moses Lake, spending seven years at Frontier Junior High and 28 years as head wrestling coach of the Moses Lake Chiefs. Wrestling was part of his life long before he became a coach. As a wrestler at Moses Lake High School, he was a state runner-up his senior year, and he went on to earn All-American honors at Big Bend Community College. The coaches who guided him in those years helped shape the coach he would become.

Under Ron’s leadership, the Chiefs became one of the most successful wrestling programs in Washington. His teams won nine state championships, were state runners-up seven times, and placed in the top four at state 20 times. He coached 132 state placers, including 26 state champions and 29 runners-up. His teams won 23 league titles and 25 district championships, and he finished with a dual meet record of 408-28-2, including a remarkable 227-7-2 in the Big Nine Conference.

Ron was named Big Nine Coach of the Year 21 times and State Coach of the Year twice. He received the Region Seven National Coach of the Year award in 1996 and was named National Wrestling Coach of the Year in 2004. In 2010, the Washington chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame honored him with its Lifetime Service to Wrestling award.

For Ron, coaching was never just a job. After retiring from Moses Lake High School in 2004, he kept giving his time and knowledge to the sport. He coached three seasons at Royal High School, helping lead the team to two state championships and a third-place finish. He also coached at Big Bend Community College, including its women’s wrestling program, and worked with young wrestlers in the Moses Lake youth program. From children just learning the sport to college athletes chasing their goals, he never stopped finding wrestlers to encourage, challenge, and teach.

Ron’s wife, Cathy, was at the heart of his life and his coaching career, and her love, support, and sacrifices made so much of his work possible. Together they raised a family and built a life in Moses Lake until her passing in August 2022. In his later years, Ron was blessed with the love and companionship of Marie Pinard, who brought him deep joy and remained by his side until the end.

He is survived by his son Bryan and daughter-in-law Valeria; his grandchildren Natalia, Esteban and Marcus; and his brothers and sisters Paul, Diane, Lyle and Danny. He was preceded in death by his wife Cathy; his parents Ralph and Enid; and his siblings Ralph, Cheryl, David and Glen. Ron will be remembered by his family, by the many athletes he coached, and by all the people whose lives he touched along the way.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m. at Zamora Park in Moses Lake. In lieu of flowers, Ron’s family asks for donations to be made to the Moses Lake Wrestling Club: https:bit.ly/RonSeibelMemorialFund

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.