Ronald “Ron” Dean Sande, 84, of Elk River, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home on August 15, 2026 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Ron was born to Per and Frances Sande on July 3, 1942, in Twin Falls, Idaho. He graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1960 and went on to attend the University of Idaho and Washington State University. In 1964, he married Arlene Reis, the love of his life. This began a marriage and partnership that would span more than six decades.
Ron earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1966 and went on to earn a Master’s degree and PhD, becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology. He began his career at the University of Utah Medical School before returning to Pullman, Washington, in 1968 to join Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
From 1973 to 1995, Ron directed the Division of Clinical Services and oversaw the Department of Veterinary Radiology at WSU. He was a respected teacher, researcher, mentor, and leader in veterinary medicine. His work included research on animal models of human bone disease, cancer, and diseases of salmon in Norway, among many other projects. He mentored 18 graduate students, authored more than 100 publications, presented more than 160 papers, seminars, and short courses, and received numerous professional awards and honors.