P. Ronald “Ron” Wachter, 88, of Pullman, Washington planned his last adventure on June 15, 2026, passing peacefully at home, surrounded by his family just as he wanted. Adventure was the thread that ran through Ron’s whole life. Born in Woodburn, OR he was placed in a dresser drawer next to Leonard Weissinfels who would become his best friend. Leonard was his best man at our wedding and ½ owner of his boat and airplane.

His parents Paul Anton Wachter & Marie Josephine (Schmitt) Wachter took him home to the family berry farm in Mt. Angel, OR. He was extremely glad that his sister Jeanette came along and also a bonus little sister MaryAnn. Bored with picking berries he became an entrepreneur in early life. His mom helped him grow a cucumber patch and he took his wagon and would sell to the local grocery stores, the cannery and the neighbors. He also had a newspaper route which he continued through his first year of college. Two of his uncles owned a feed and seed store so he learned a lot of how to shoot the breeze with the public.

Ron attended grade school and high school in Mt. Angel. He graduated as valedictorian of Mt. Angel Prepatory School in 1955. His first year of college was at Portland State University. He transferred to Oregon State (College) where he earned four degrees. Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, Business and Technology and Business Administration. It was at Oregon State that he met the love of his life and his partner in every adventure to come, Barb. The two were married in Salem, OR on December 29, 1960. They have continued to return to Lincoln City every year the place of their first date until his health declined. They celebrated 65 years of married life on December 29, 2025.

He started his career as an ag loan officer with the First National Bank of Oregon until 1963. He applied for a job at a farm supply cooperative in Pullman, WA. He was named manager in 1965. Palouse Producers was born with offices in 15 towns in Washington and Idaho. He built a state of the art “cooker” to make the invaluable fertilizer & chemical blend the farmer needed. He established bins and barge sites at Almota and Tidewater where barge lines brought fertilizer & chemicals to that site.

He had a full crew that built grain bins for his farmers. They still Stand! Ron left Palouse Producers in 1983. He quietly planned operation #2, founding Nuchem Industries, an innovative farm chemical company that grew into a regional leader, helping growers across Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, Northern Idaho and Montana increase their yields while caring for the land. He then developed a new cooker #2 at a new Central Ferry site. People came worldwide to see it. He would invite all the countries home to barbecue steak & set them around our basement tables. He also set up agriculture trips around the world. Ron’s special accolades include the Fluid Fellow Award from Fluid Fertilizer Foundation at which he served as chairman and from Far West Fertilizer and Agricultural Association.

Ron again said “gotta build business number 3”. He helped build Agro Solutions based in Pullman, WA and also added cooker #3. He was able to attend the grand opening at Central Ferry this past summer. It has a welcoming sign that says Wachter Landing. Take a drive to Central Ferry, all 3 of his converters are there when you drive in; converter #2 is on the Helena site, cooker #1 at the Wilbur Ellis site; and the end of the road (can’t miss it) is #3.

Ron’s devotion to his community ran just as deep. He served the city of Pullman for nearly two decades as a city council member and Mayor Pro Tem from 1977-1995. His name proudly sits alongside others on the city hall, fire stations, city library, treatment plant and airport terminal. He and his close friends opened the Bank of Pullman downtown, the same friends had a committee that helped develop the industrial park where Sweitzer Industries is.

Ron belonged to the Pullman Lions Club and earned recognition of the man of the year several times. He was an honored member of the Whitman Shriners, trustee of the YMCA, and a steady supporter of the Boy Scouts, Pullman Highschool Athletics and was named community citizen of the year by the Elks Lodge.

He and Barb committed themselves to the Palouse Empire Fair as they could do it together. Ron sat on the board & was president for a time. He helped develop and build ideas for the betterment of everyone. They were century club members and were grand Marshalls and family of the year. They donated to the new building and were honored to have a sign “Wachter Addition”. Ron attended every animal auction for years and people still say “you bought my animal, thank you so much”.

Ron was determined to see the completion of the new airport of which he was a board member for 37 years. He supported and nourished the Chamber of Commerce since 1963 and was instrumental in building the Chamber office with Bill Frier. Along with George Sharp, Ron got the chamber float built and always supported the local Junior Miss Programs.

WSU welcomed us from the beginning (being Beavers to begin with) but Ron missed not hopping the airplane to away games and all the activities these last few years. He was a stadium builder and Ron’s grain bin crew built the entrance way onto the field and the offices in Bohler Gym for the Athletic Director. Our friends and customers honored Ron with a bronze Cougar statue that is proudly in our home. The best thing was Ron being named WSU Dad of the Year.

The greatest adventures of all, Ron shared with Barb. Together they traveled the world – from Australia to Europe to Asia – a journey that blended his lifelong love of agriculture with her love of seeking out new horizons. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Ron was also a mentor and teacher, and inventor, a builder, and a businessman whose curiosity, generosity and drive left a mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. What he built in business and in his community, he matched many times over in the family he cherished.

Ron is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barb; his three children, Tim and his wife Carol; Kathy Jo and her husband Jim; and Wendy Jo and her husband Shane; 11 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. Though he has set off on his final adventure, the love, laughter, and example he leaves behind will travel with his family and friends for generations to come.

The viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Corbeill Funeral Home, Pullman, WA from 9 AM to 4 PM. The Rosary will be held at 6 PM on Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 440 NE Ash St., Pullman, WA. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Ron will be laid to rest at the IOOF Cemetery in Pullman followed by a reception at 2 PM at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds, Wachter Addition.

Corbeill Funeral Home of Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements. Memorial donations are suggested to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 911 W. 5th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204 or to the Palouse Fair Foundation, 310 N. Main St., Colfax, WA 99111. Online condolences may be sent to www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com