Dr. Ronald Lee Sigler Obituary (1938 - 2022)

Dr. Ronald Lee Sigler (Ron) passed away at his Wickenburg home on March 3, 2022, of Multiple Myeloma, surrounded by his family. Ron was born on January 30, 1938, in Indianapolis, IN, to Noble and Naomi (Coon) Sigler. Heis survived by his wife Patricia (Redman) Sigler, daughters Teri Sigler and Tricia Sigler, brother Carl Sigler (Marcia), brother-in-law Bill Allen, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ron and Pat first met at Indiana Academy and were married for more than 63 years. He was a member of the first graduating class at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. While at Purdue, he also became a private pilot and began a lifelong love of sailing, as a member of the sailing club. After graduating, he worked at the Hinsdale Veterinary Clinic in Illinois, while Pat completed her RN degree. As outdoor enthusiasts, they explored and camped in several western states while deciding where they wanted to settle and launch a practice. After camping in the snow at the Grand Canyon, and then swimming in a pool in Phoenix, they chose Arizona, joined a mountaineering club, and Ron began working in Phoenix where initially he did relief work for a group of veterinarians. Additionally, he flew a plane to Payson one day a week to see patients, as Payson did not have a veterinarian at that time. He opened a clinic in Sunnyslope, working there until he opened Sun City AnimalHospital, moving his young family into the attached apartment where they lived for the next two years.Ron became interested in studying Veterinary Ophthalmology, a specialty still in its formative years, so he furthered his education at the University of Minnesota, Colorado State University, and Stanford University MedicalSchool, becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 1977. In 1980, as Arizona's first veterinary ophthalmologist, he sold Sun City Animal Hospital and opened the state's first veterinary eye clinic, Animal Eye Specialists. In 1995, he sold his practice to Eye Care for Animals, and continued working with them until hisretirement, in 2018, at age 80. When asked why he continued to work for so long, he always replied that he enjoyed the work, the animals and people, and mentoring and teaching the residents. Dr. Sigler was twice honored by the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, first as Veterinarian of the Year in 2015, and then as an inductee into the Veterinary Hall of Fame in 2017, in recognition of his leadership role in advancing the strength and goodwill of Arizona's veterinary community. Ron and Pat have been Wickenburg residents since 2000. Avid hikers, they often led groups of friends out to discover trails in the area. With their love of nature and gardening skills, they created a desert habitat favorable to birdsand bees around their home, and volunteered at the Hassayampa River Preserve. He had a special interest in the wildlife and archeological history of the Southwest, and especially enjoyed hiking to, and photographing, petroglyphs. Ron's dedicated commitment to his wife and daughters, to his community of faith, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, to colleagues, and his many friends was anchored in his identity as a Christ follower. He will be remembered for how he eagerly sought out opportunities to be helpful, encouraging, gracious, and kind.Memorial service to be held on April 2, 2022 at 5 pm, at Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church, 6801 N. 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ. If unable to attend services, please visit glendaleazsda.org/live to view a livestream of the service or to watch it at a later date. Donations in Ron's memory may be made to adra.org or southwestwildlife.org