Ronald Adkins

Ronald J. Adkins, 76 Ronald J. Adkins, a professor and one of the founders of WWAMI, the University of Washington's medical school education program for the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho, died Wednesday, Jan. 14 in Port Orchard, Wash., following a long-term battle with coronary disease. He was 76. Born in Bremerton in 1932, Ron was a 1950 graduate of South Kitsap High School. He subsequently earned an associate in arts from Olympic College in 1952, a bachelor of science (magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa) and a master of arts followed by a doctor of philosophy in neurological physiology from the University of Washington.  Before assuming his Ph.D. studies, he taught psychology at Lower Columbia Community College, where he also served as an assistant coach for the school's football and golf teams.  As a neurophysiologist, he taught at New York Medical College before taking up a 30-year career at Washington State University in research, teaching and administration. He was twice named the school's best professor, an annual honor determined by a vote of WSU students. A gifted athlete, he was a football lineman and track competitor in high school.  In college he played football on Olympic College's Potato Bowl-winning team, and was a walk-on at the University of Washington until suffering a career-ending ankle injury. Upon his retirement from WSU, he returned to Port Orchard where he focused his energy on gun collecting, membership in Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club, gardening and frequent travel to Hawaii. Memorial services will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. at Rill Chapel, 1151 Mitchell Ave., Port Orchard, Wash. (360) 876-4405.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the WWAMI Excellence Fund at WSU or the Union Gospel Mission in Seattle. Friends and family are invited to speak or share memories at the memorial, or visit www.rill.com to leave a personal message regarding Ron for his friends and family. Survivors include Joan (Hannah) Shields (life partner), of Port Orchard; Tracy Lynn Adkins (daughter) and husband, Jim Browitt, of Lewiston, Idaho; Cynthia (Cindy) Forrest Adkins (daughter) of Seattle; Lorraine (Adkins) Harmon (sister) and husband James R. Harmon, of York, Maine; Gary D. Adkins (brother) and wife Terri, of Poulsbo, Wash; D. Elizabeth Cottrell (stepsister) of Port Orchard; Vivian (George) Adkins (first wife), Lewiston, Idaho; Antje (Sundermieir) Adkins (second wife), Pullman, Wash.; Leone Cottrell-Adkins (wife of Ron's father, Frosty) of Port Orchard; Kristina Ball (niece); Eric Adkins (nephew), wife Anastasia, and son Daniel; Greta (Adkins) Bandy (niece), and husband Gary Bandy, son Karl and daughters Sarah and Emilia; Jenifer Engstrom (niece), husband, Tom, daughter Eve and son Israel; Garret Adkins (nephew) and wife Amber; Ronald Adkins (nephew) and wife Angela; Kenneth Adkins (nephew); and Zachary Brooks Harmon (nephew), wife Lisa and daughters Sarah and Ashley.