Ron G. Smith of Santa Barbara passed away suddenly on Nov. 7, 2025. Ron courageously dealt with multiple health issues for many years.
A bit of a Renaissance man, Ron’s interests included paleontology, astronomy, natural history, geology and ornithology.
He could tell you about the fossil you uncovered, the spiral galaxy you saw, the sea cucumber that washed in on the surf, the geology of the cliffs and foothills here and elsewhere, and every bird that ever sang.
He led Audubon field trips back in the ’70s, and birded North America with a passion, identifying nearly 700 species in his lifetime.
Ron was born on May 9, 1947 to Lowell V. and Rebecca L. (nee Wilcox) Smith in Covina, California, the first grandchild on both sides of a loving family. He was over 11 pounds at birth and grew to be a fine, handsome man six feet tall.
Ron was joined in his childhood by five siblings: Rebecca, Renee, Ruth and Rodger. His sister Rhonda Sue passed away at a young age.
Ron spoke fondly of his time spent with paternal grandparents Jake and “Frankie,” who managed a large farm out in Apple Valley, California, for the Mormon Church. Ron spent his summers there. He said he was on a tractor at age five and given a .22 caliber gun shortly thereafter. This is how he became a real cowboy.
Ron began voice lessons at an early age. He had a beautiful baritone voice and was recruited in high school to sing with Los Cantadores, an all-male ensemble which performed regularly.
The album jacket of one of his recordings tells us: “Invitations [were] issued to young men of high moral and social standards, good citizenship and expectational vocal ability.”
Not only could Ron sing, he won his high school’s award for Outstanding Athletic Achievement in 1965.
Ron’s college plans were interrupted by the Vietnam war. He was drafted in 1968 and did basic training at Fort Ord, California. He declined an officer’s commission, and instead became a drill sergeant at Fort Benning, Georgia. Ron was honorably discharged in 1970.
He went back to college at UCLA and while there, sang with the Roger Wagner Chorale.
Ron met Kate in 1979 at a party on the Mesa in Santa Barbara. They were married in 1981 and moved east for Kate’s graduate school. While back east, Ron sang with Singing City in Philadelphia and performed Brahms with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy conducting.
Eventually, the couple moved back to Santa Barbara in 1986 and purchased a home in the Hidden Valley neighborhood. It was there that they welcomed daughter Rebecca into the world in 1988. Son Patrick followed in 1991. They were very happy.
Then, Ron was in a car accident at work in 1996 and sustained a traumatic brain injury from which he was not able to recover.
He became Mr. Mom and continued to be devoted to his family. He was an exceptional father to his beloved children.
Ultimately, Ron landed at Maravilla, where he has lived the last 18 years.
What we remember most about Ron is his love of people and great generosity of spirit. Known as the Bird Man of Maravilla, he led a group out birding every week. Ron always carried a spotting scope and delighted in making sure others in his party saw the details of whatever bird was being identified.
Ron could be counted on for a kind word, and assistance with whatever was needed. He distributed hummingbird feeders to multiple residents and we came across the “Ron Smith Memorial Bird Feeder” just the other day. He’d have liked that.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 in the clubhouse at Maravilla, 5486 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Light refreshments will be served. Dress code is joyfully casual.
All who knew Ron Smith are invited to attend, including residents and staff at Maravilla.
For more information or questions, call or text Rebecca Bateman, 805-456-9826, Kate Smith, 805-729-7160, or Patrick Smith, 530-518-7198.