Ronald Duane Forbes, age 87, died on Thursday, July 6, 2017 in Panorama City, CA, at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. He was born in Moline, IL to Gerald and Anise (Hootman) Forbes and was the miracle child for them both, since after the death of their son Merle, they were told they could have no more children, but Ronald came along! Ronald grew up on a farm and rode a pony to a one room school house in IA, splitting his time between his parents’ farm houses when they divorced (Gail and Anise Marriott & Gerald and Della Forbes). After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy at the end of WWII. He was also recalled for service and stationed in Japan on a mine/sweep destroyer, during the Korean War. Ronald was injured and ill and recovering at the naval hospital, where he met his wife of 64 years, Noriko. They were married at the American Embassy in 1953.
Ronald and Noriko (known as Niki to friends), returned to the United States and moved to IL, where Ronald attended Bradley University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, in 1957. Afterwards, Ronald attended a special training program in Chicago, IL with IBM to learn Computer Science. Ronald and family then moved to CA for new adventures, finally landing a job at UCLA, as a Senior Programmer for the UC System, which he retired with 37 years of service.
After retirement, Ronald continued working. He set up an office, RF Services, above Gary’s Automotive, a neighbor and friend’s local business (did some book keeping and letter writing for the shop), worked for many years for Xplor, a font bank service, attending many social events with them. He also was very active with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 13, Camp Kearney Van Nuys, a life member as well as serving as Treasurer and Adjutant for many years and also as a member of the Neighborhood Council, as their Treasurer as well.
Ronald’s hobbies included reading, watching movies, woodworking (making furniture, frames, clocks), weeding, and napping. He was a very mellow, kind hearted, quiet man, who loved animals, the outdoors and his family.
Ronald leaves behind his beautiful wife, Noriko, son, Alan, daughter, Aline, 2 granddaughters, Juliet and Annie, and cousins Connie, Doris, and Don.
Ronald’s memorial service is pending.