Ronald McKinley Stevens (1950–2026) passed away peacefully at the age of 75 at Huntsville Hospice.
Ron never stopped trying to make sense of his place in the world, even when it hurt to ask the question. Forever skeptical of convention, he was always fully himself.
He dwelt in that special place between terror and wonder; that place where poetry is born, and belly laughter is frequent.
There was a fury in him, and also a cosmic tranquillity — often at the same time. In that way, he resembled his preferred home, the woods and lakes of Ontario.
As a high school teacher, he was both brilliant and rebellious, preferring to develop curiosity over curriculum. Many souls have been marked by his questions and lessons.
More than anything in life, Ron loved being a dad. He gave his sons the freedom to explore the world without having to bear the weight of burdensome expectations. He also taught them how to paddle a canoe and play the wind with a sail. They will feel his absence until they themselves have shuffled off.
And though he loved erratically (as we often do in love), he loved truly, from the very centre of his being, where chi rumbles and churns.
It was a deep and happy life, though not always a pleasant one. But that’s what happens when you choose to brave uncharted seas.
Ron was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Ruth Stevens. He is survived by his brother, Bob Stevens (Lynn), and by his sons, Christopher Jordan-Stevens (Sarah Downes) and Rory Jordan-Stevens (Sarah Spring).
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the nurses, PSWs, and doctors at Huntsville Hospice, Huntsville Hospital, and Bracebridge Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Huntsville Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Society of Muskoka. In keeping with his wishes, there will not be a funeral service.
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Ron took every opportunity to make our English class in BMLSS into a philosophy class!, which I deeply admired …On our first day of class, Ron took a banana and asked us grade twelve students what it was .. &. then smashed it onto the surface of the desk and asked us to define it again .. After some responses, Ron went over to the window and asked us what we could see across the street. We responded that we saw a church building .. Ron proceeded then to take mushy banana hands and wipe it across the window and then asked if we could see the church clearly anymore, to which we said, ‘no.’ Ron made the point in saying that if we did not have a proper reference point then we could not see reality .. It was really something .. One day, Ron mentioned that my excessive use of a heavy lipstick was to be respected because I ‘didn’t care’ what people thought of me .. Given that Ron was one of my favourite teachers, I was astonished .. and the next day I came to class with my darkest, purple lipstick applied thickly around my mouth, like a clown. Ron did a double-take and giggled .. I gave Ron a water-filled prism of floating sand, with the colours of glistening black and silver as a gift when I graduated.. I would not see Ron again until my family and I were in the grocery parking lot many years following and was ecstatic to greet this eclectic genius once more … Ron told us of the new-found passion for Tai Chi .. and spoke of being so in love with both sons .. (one of which I had the privilege of being in Improv class with, under the guidance of Robin Clipsham–this being Chris.)
I absolutely loved you, Ron! Thanks for being my uplifting English/Philo teacher and for bringing your exuberant and profound personality to every moment possible … I wish I could have seen you again.
Chris and Rory, please accept my deepest, most heart-felt condolences for this transition into Spirit, by our beloved Ron, your father of many talents and much wisdom, with my love and respect.
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I am saddened to read that Ron passed away. I had the privilege of working with Ron at both HHS and BMLSS and had the joy of experiencing tai chi through his instruction. I clearly see the man I knew in this description. My condolences to his family and friends.
Mr Stevens, Ron, you touched my life as my favorite and most influential high school teacher. Engraining upon me the importance of diligence, beauty and eloquence in everything that we deliver to the world. I am the man and father I am today in great part to your teachings and philosophy as a teacher and mentor during the years I knew you at BMLSS. My sincerest condolences to your family, this is a great loss. Ron, as you insisted we call you, but Mr Stevens as I was most comfortable, I miss you, and truly hope you are at peace. Thank you.
I wish that i have met him but i liked where he
was at. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear this. I met Ron when he taught Tai Chi in Huntsville. A lovely, gentle man.
You will be forever missed Ron. I will always remember our poetry chats we had when I was a young girl.
This obituary is so fitting for Ron: unique and honest. It was always an event to have a no-nonsense chat with Ron, even if it was butting heads about some procedure in the school. He had thought about stuff, so there was value in listening. And he listened and responded, probably asked a question. You came away thinking more, yourself. Thank you for your presence, Ron. My condolences to his family.
So, so perfectly captured. It was an honour to have worked alongside him. May his chi rumble and churn in all those he touched.