In memory of Dr. Rhondale (Ron) Tso

Our beloved brother and son, Dr. Rhondale (Ron) Tso, passed away peacefully in his home sometime in the last week of July 2023 in Urbana, Illinois (due to the circumstances of his passing, the exact date of death is unknown at this time). Ron was 34 years old and from the communities of Cameron/Flagstaff, Arizona (Navajo reservation). Although Ron was young, he lived an amazing life. Ron was 2 years old when he and his family learned that he had a heart condition known as Prolonged QT Syndrome. He was given a life expectancy of 3 years old but his strong heart allowed him to live a long and fulfilling life. Knowing that he was living on "borrowed time," Ron did not let his heart condition stop him or delay any life goals. Ron loved to travel the world, he aspired to learn many languages and cultures, enjoyed hiking the mountains in Northern Arizona, was an avid biker, ran half-marathons, and jokingly had a plan to move back to the Navajo reservation and retire as a lumberjack and sheepherder.

During his seemingly-short life, Ron accomplished so much in the world of science and was inspired to encourage the Native American youth in the STEM field. At the time of his passing, Ron was living in Urbana, Illinois, working as a postdoctoral researcher and mentor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He completed a Doctorates and Masters degree from California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, California) and a Bachelors degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott, Arizona). He conducted research at many other educational institutions worldwide, devoted a lot of time traveling to schools on the Native American reservations to inspire students to explore the field of STEM, and even accomplished a childhood dream of digging for dinosaurs in Montana. Ron's interest and devotion in exploring relativity, gravitational waves, and blackholes literally allowed him to "Reach for the stars." He was a part of a worldwide Physics and Astronomy community and respected by many.

Our family is seeking donations to bring Ron back home to Arizona, so he can be laid to rest in his beloved mountains of Northern Arizona. Any additional amounts incurred will go to his loving parents who always welcomed Ron home whenever he needed to rest.