- Date Of Birth: September 19, 1937
- Date Of Death: September 2, 2016
- State: New Mexico
Ronald L. Welch, 78, passed away after a lengthy illness on Friday, September 2, 2016 in Albuquerque, NM. He was born September 19, 1937 in Gallup, NM and grew up in Mentmore, NM.
He was a 1955 graduate of Gallup High School. Upon graduation, he attended the University of New Mexico and studied mechanical engineering. Each summer, he returned home to Gallup to work on the Santa Fe Railroad.
He was drafted into the US Army in 1960 and was stationed at Fort Skelly in Regensburg, Germany for two years. Upon release from the army, he returned to Gallup, NM, where he continued to work until his retirement from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. He retired in 2007 after 51 years of service as a conductor. In 1997, he went back to school part time, earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in general studies from the UNM-Gallup Branch.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Shelley Welch; his children, James Welch of Albuquerque and Jennifer Bonaguidi of Gallup, and two grandsons, Ryan James Welch and Tyler Bonaguidi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jennie and James Welch.
Ronald was a train enthusiast and a member of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club. He was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge and served as Vice Local Chairman for the United Transportation Union Local Chapter. His hobbies included trains, photography, traveling, and watching sports.
Saturday, September 10th, 2016, 11:00am, Sacred Heart Cathedral
