Ronald Oscar Forsell (1928-2009)
Ron was born to Oscar and Ethel Forsell on November 16, 1928 in Aberdeen, Washington. After graduating from Aberdeen High School, he attended WSU. A talented baseball player, Ron joked that he gave up his baseball dreams for broadcasting so that Bobo Brayton, the legendary Cougar coach, could make the team and have his time in the sun. Ron decided to focus his efforts in broadcasting. He soon became the radio voice of WSU sports broadcasting, paving the way for a young freshman named Keith Jackson. He graduated with a B.A. in Radio Speech in 1950.
Ron wrote in his memoirs that the highlight of his senior year in college was meeting Janice Hall, who he called "the prettiest girl on campus." They were married on November 2, 1950. His first big career break came with a job at KXLE in Ellensburg. For six years Ron broadcast every sport possible in both high school and college, as well as preparing the news broadcasts. But his career was about to hit the big stage.
KIRO-TV was schedule to go on the air for the first time in 1958. Ron interviewed and did his screen test. They obviously like what they saw in him and the boy from Aberdeen was set to go on the air in Seattle.
Ron started out doing news, and eventually was called upon to do everything from color commentary for pro wrestling to fill-in weatherman for 3 weeks. He quickly rose to the position of News Director, a position he held for several years before being promoted in 1969 to Sports Director.
The awards poured in, as he became a pioneer in Seattle broadcasting. His use of a computer football forecast segment spawned his catch phrase, "I don't like it, reverse it." Ron became a sports broadcasting icon in Seattle. He was the play-by-play announcer for Seattle University basketball, broadcasting sports on KIRO-TV at 6:00pm and 11:00pm, Seattle Ranger football games, and anchored every hydroplane race broadcasted on KIRO during his tenure. He even anchored a golf tournament that was broadcast live from the west coast to Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, and Australia. The boy from Aberdeen was now broadcasting across the world.
Ron had a way of identifying with his viewers. He didn't just read the news, he participated. One winter, he learned to snow ski on camera. He developed a loyal golf following when he produced a show on the toughest 18 holes in Seattle. He would play the hole with the club professional. It was on those broadcasts that Ron became known as "The Bogey King".
In 1976 Ron left KIRO for a job as a writer/producer at Cinema Associates. While there he wrote and produced a documentary about Native Americans called "More Than Bows and Arrows". The film won many national awards and was enshrined in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame by Gene Autry. Ron finished his career at Boeing writing and producing films for them.
In his retirement he continued to be an avid golfer. He and Jan loved to golf with friends and family. But his true sanctuary was his cabin at Lake Chelan. From 1978 until this past summer, there was no place he would rather be than with family and friends at the lake. He shared countless memories of swimming, skiing, driving the boat, and playing hearts at night. Ron embodied Chelan - warm and relaxing.
For all of his accomplishments, awards, and fame, Ron was one of the most kind and humble men to walk this earth. He adored Jan and pampered her for 59 years. There's never been a better role model for a husband and father than Ron. His gentle and loving heart will forever be missed.
He is survived by his sweetheart of 59 years Jan, and his three children Terry (Phil), Kathy (Martin), and Greg (Dori). Ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren had the privilege of calling him Grandpa.
Please share a favorite story or memory of Ron by writing in the Guest Book section located in the lower right corner.
An open house in celebration of Ron's life will be held between 12:00pm - 4:00pm January 23, 2009 at his Shoreline home.
