Oct. 16, 1939 — July 27, 2018
Dr. Ronald Richard Sheahan born Oct. 16, 1939, in Hollywood, Calif., to Richard Sheahan and Mary (Pfeisinger) Sheahan. (This was written by Ron.)
I attended first grade through the first part of 11th grade in Hollywood, and then my family moved to Frankfurt, Germany, where I graduated from high school. My father took a job there so he could expose his family to different countries in Europe.
In my younger years, I spent most days on my bicycle exploring Hollywood, Wilshire and Beverly Hills. I loved tools and would take many things apart to see how they worked. Later on, I built radios, worked on cars and tinkered with electronics. I loved to run, swim, play basketball and was very active in Boy Scouts and loved camping.
My first job was delivering newspapers every Sunday in a little red wagon. Upon graduation, I returned to Hollywood and took a job with the phone company. I spent a short time in the U.S. Air Force before being released due to a shoulder injury. I had several jobs after earning degrees in mechanical, civil and electrical engineering. I went to work at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the Mariner-Mars project, sending a lander to Mars, worked for Livermore Nuclear Laboratories working on a classified military project and BBN Technologies for a short time. I lost my interest in engineering and decided to buy a business that built and designed restaurant equipment. It seemed like a good challenge. Eventually I went back to school and found optometry was my passion. I graduated at age 55. I drove through 110 towns and found Lewiston — it was a perfect fit for me and so I bought a practice, renaming it “The Eye Doctor.” I loved my work, staff and patients. I enjoyed Rotary, Knights of Columbus and working with the Salvation Army youth programs and events.
I met the love of my life, got married and was truly happy for the first time. It took me 10 years to find Sharon, but she was truly worth the wait. I could not imagine life being any better. My only regret is that my failing health will take me away from her way too soon. Her son, Michael, who lives close by, and I have a wonderful loving respectful bond between us.
I am survived by my lovely wife, Sharon; children from a previous marriage — son Mike (Corrine) Sheahan Murray of Utah; daughters Kathy Sheahan (Jose Vargas) of San Marcos, Calif., and Julia (Jerold) Anderson of Vista, Calif.; stepson Michael Johnson of Lewiston; and stepdaughter Michelle Hardman (Jim) of Snohomish, Wash.; as well as grandchildren Shaida Alarcon, Alejandro Vargas, Jiselle and Jaleel Davis and Jayce Anderson; and stepgrandchildren Jill (Ross) Peterson, Todd (Kendra) Hardman, Kristi (Casey) Schule; and stepgreat-grandchildren Kendall Peterson, Eliana Schule and Clarice Hardman; and several nieces and nephews.
I am also survived by my mother-in-law Helen Tribble of Moscow; sister-in-law Connie (Jim) Hurd of Seaside, Ore.; and brothers-in-law Ron (Cheryl) Tribble of Troy, and Gary (Cassie) Tribble of Moscow; and best friends Touraj and Homa Assefi of Kenmore, Wash.; and their three children Nassim Assefi (daughter Kiana), Seema (Saul) Clifasefi (sons Zhisan and Dari), and Leela Assefi; and lots of friends.
I was preceded in death by my parents, Richard and Mary Sheahan; brother, Bob Sheahan; grandparents, several uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews, and lots of friends.
A viewing will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at Merchant Funeral Home, 1000 Seventh St., Clarkston. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1109 Chestnut St., Clarkston.
