This is a special story, a story so special that one person could not tell it. This is an introduction to Ron Sawyer, a “gentleman”, a man who is “a number of puzzle pieces”, by five members of his many spheres.
We’ve used these five voices to tell the different sides of Ron’s story, so you, the reader, get a real feel for the many facets of his projects and passions, and how they affect so many parts of our community. You’ll meet men and women, from his wife to his friends to his co-workers and co-creators, that agreed to help me tell Ron’s story.
As someone who has personally worked with Ron in many capacities – from regionally touring his musical, to listening to his lake health reports, to events at the Marina, I can attest to his multi-faceted approach to life that somehow just makes sense. I hope you are inspired to get out and make something happen, to start a ripple in our in our communal lake that, with a little luck, lots of practice and some hard work, will be felt for generations to come, just like Ron has done and continues to do.
Ron Sawyer: Cascade Marina, a family affair
As told by/Rebecca “Becky” Sawyer, owner and manager, Cascade Marina
The story of Ron Sawyer starts where all our stories begin, and if we’re lucky, where they end: with family.
Becky met her future husband at Eastern Washington University, where they were both going to college: Becky for journalism and Ron for music. They fell in love, graduated and got married. Their attention soon shifted from the creative arts to the more practical industries of boat maintenance and refueling at the Cascade Marina, in Moses Lake.
Becky and Ron’s focus was not narrow for long – they bought a second marina in Pasco, expanded their Moses Lake shop to include recreation equipment and welcomed their daughters, Lisa and Kari. “For about 20 years we didn’t have any time for anything except for the Marina and raising the girls,” Becky said.
Once life slowed down after selling the Pasco business and their daughters had left for college… it got even busier! Becky now takes care of her mother while she manages the Marina, which has grown to include storage rentals with both closed units and open space for RVs or boats, campsites with RV hook-ups, and an indoor event space for small to midsize groups. The Marina also boasts a food truck, owned and managed by Lisa and her husband. Lisa helps manage the Marina, while daughter Kari is more involved in the venue space and her own shuttle service.
Ron’s many activities are contained in the next few pages, but besides all that, he continues to support the family business wrenching on boats when needed, and his family by watching his young grandchildren and teaching them to fish. Becky supports and gets out with Ron whenever she can, attending events, cruising the pontoon around the lake, or playing keys with him in a band or play. Yes, they are busy, but more importantly they are surrounded by what they have built together – the Marina, music, the lake, lots of fish and lots of love.
Learn more about Cascade Marina at www.cascademarinaresort.com.
Ron Sawyer: Innovative industry
As told by/Marilyn Meseberg, owner, Mardon Resort
MarDon Resort is nestled on the shores of Potholes Reservoir, near the Columbia Wildlife Refuge between Royal City and Moses Lake. Marilyn Mesebery would send her patrons Ron’s way for boat parts and repairs.
Ron eventually teamed up with Marilyn’s father-in-law, Rod Meseberg, in the 1990’s to save fishing in Moses Lake and the Resevoir. Overfishing of the nursery stock, the introduction of Walleye and bass from the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project and four inches of Mt. Saint Helens ash in 1980 made a noticeable difference in populations of warmwater fish including recreational fishing favorites perch, bluegill and crappie. After years of work, these warmwater fish were recognized as valuable assets to the Washington State ecosystem, and a hatchery was opened up near Hanford to produce them.
In many ways, their work was continued by Marilyn’s husband, Mike Meseberg, when in 2005 he introduced “habitat boxes” to the shore of Mardon, which provide places for young fish to live and hide from predators. “For my husband, and really all three of these gentlemen, they just wanted to pass along healthy lakes where most anyone could catch a fish and pass this gift along to future generations,” she said.
“Sometimes it’s just luck,” Marilyn said, “that people like Ron and Rod meet each other. They clicked… Rod was older and Ron was young: Rod took a lot of energy from Ron’s youth and Ron took a lot of wisdom from Rod. They had a problem, talked it out, kept putting one foot in front of the other… eventually you find one small solution and then a bigger solution. I doubt that Ron, upon meeting Rod and joining forces, ever imagined he’d be where he is now.”
Learn more about Mardon Resort at www.mardonresort.com and the Central Washington Fish Advisory Committee at www.cwfac.org.
Ron Sawyer: Committed to Quality
Author/Kristina Ribellia, Executive Director, Columbia Basin Conservation District
Ron is one of the most passionate and dedicated individuals working to conserve and enhance the water quality and habitat of Moses Lake. As a local business owner, engaged community member, and active Chair of the Moses Lake Watershed Council, Ron brings a deeply rooted commitment to the health and well-being of both the lake and our broader community.
Since joining the Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) in 2022, Ron has led with purpose, vision, and action. As the Director of CBCD’s Department of Environmental Monitoring & Restoration, Ron oversees multiple programs focused on lake health, water quality, and critical areas conservation. Drawing from decades of experience and his first-hand knowledge of Moses Lake’s ecosystem, Ron brings a grounded, informed perspective.
Through Ron’s leadership, CBCD has secured more than $4 million to support local water quality improvements. He has spearheaded a range of initiatives, including the Grant County Healthy Lakes Tracker, shoreline nutrient assessments, septic-to-sewer conversions, and youth education programming – most notably “The Hunt for Yarely,” an original educational play.
Ron’s strengths lie not only in his creative and critical thinking skills but in his ability to build lasting relationships. His long-standing ties to the community and our partners make him an invaluable asset. Our district is better because of Ron’s humble leadership, and the impact of his work will be felt for decades to come.
Learn more about the Grant County Conservation District at www.columbiabasincd.org
Ron Sawyer: And all that jazz
As told by/Dan Beich, music teacher, Moses Lake School District
Dan met Ron through a number of musicals they played in the early 2000’s. “He’s a brass guy, a trumpet. He was a music major and he’s continued to make his playing a huge part of his life. As a trumpet player, especially at the level he’s playing, if you don’t keep your lips going you’re in trouble. He does what he has to do to keep his chops going and hit those high C’s!” Dan said.
Ron is and has been involved with various jazz groups over the years, from an ensemble who played regularly at the senior center, to the Wenatchee Big Bend who plays at impressive regional venues.
“He and I are very similar in that our passion for the arts, and music in particular, is so strong, we want to keep that echoing in our lives and help it flourish in our communities,” Dan said, “Every community is a puzzle, and Ron isn’t a puzzle piece, he’s a number of puzzle pieces… And, like how I’ll transition [into retirement] – it’s a change in responsibility where you’re less required to do something, but now you’re just as busy doing things you’re passionate about. I think that’s the kind of thing that drives him and a lot of community members who are civically minded and like to stay busy.”
Learn more about the Wenatchee Big Band on Facebook.
Ron Sawyer: Art and reason
Author/Emily Duvall, ORGANIZER, Sunshine Performing Arts
I think Ron has played the trumpet in almost every show I’ve done with a live orchestra. He let me sing in his band and gave me my first paid acting gig. I feel quite indebted to Ron for the many times he’s given me an opportunity to use my talents. Ron is incredible at making things happen, he is very good at figuring out what he wants and just doing it!
We started our theatre group, Sunshine Performing Arts, out of a desire to forge our own path and fill in some gaps we thought were needed in Moses Lake. Ron is the level-headed voice of reason in our group and a crucial part of every event we’ve done so far.
Something outside of the arts I think is important to know about Ron is… living in Moses Lake as a not-religious-person amongst an extremely religious community is not super easy. I’ve heard stories of the judgment he has faced because of this, and to be candid, Ron is one of the most charitable, humble and slow to anger people I’ve ever met. Ron is good for the sake of being good and I know this religious gal could take a few notes from my buddy Ron as far as that goes!
Learn more about Sunshine Performing Arts on Facebook.
