Ronald Clyde Beetham (Dr. Ron),69, of Boulder, CO passed away on February 12.

Ron was born on May 30th, 1953 to Carl and Wanda Beetham in Greenville, SC. He lived in many places from the East Coast to Hawaii before coming to The University of Colorado as an undergrad in 1971 and later for med school. His love of all things Colorado was set and this became his home.

Ron was a dedicated and compassionate physician. He loved all things related to science and medicine.

He loved to read, to learn and to study. He spent his career caring for people near and far.

Through Boulder Medical Center, he cared for the people of Boulder, and through Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders), he cared for the people in the villages of Africa.

He cared for all of those in need, it is simply who he was.

Ron had a great passion for running, cycling, travel and language. He had an incredible way of merging all of them together. He would immerse himself in a country to learn a new language and then do a marathon while he happened to be there.

His thirst for travel, language and running took him to France, Italy, Scotland, Germany and Nepal just to name a few.

Ron spoke 5 languages. One would often hear him talking with friends in French, Italian or Spanish.

Ron also had a love of farming. It started with the time he spent on the family farm in Wisconsin while he was growing up. He was passionate about the land and cared deeply about sustainable organic farming. Always busy, he could be found rebuilding tractors, growing hay, building barns, planting apple orchards or raising bees. The farm was his happy place.

Ron loved life deeply.

He had a beautiful energy and a generous, playful and remarkably loving spirit. He could do anything he put his mind to. His circle of friends span a lifetime of experiences and adventures. He leaves behind a large community of friends and family who love him dearly.

There will be a private burial service.

Friends of Ron, we invite you to join us for a Celebration of Ron's Life, on Saturday March 4th from 2-4pm at Finkel and Garf Brewing Company, 5455 Spine Road, Boulder.

If you would like to honor Ron's legacy, consider a donation to Médecins Sans Frontières (doctorswithoutborders.org) for earthquake relief in Syria.