Oregon and Washington County have much to be proud of when it comes to great wines, the industry we have created, and the reputation of excellence associated with them. Those who know how we got here know who Ron Vuylsteke was. Oak Knoll Winery is where it all started —and Ron was too. Here is the obituary provided to us by his family, and an invitation to celebrate his life next week. We thank Ron for all he did for our communities and send our condolences to his entire family. Well done, kind Sir!
On June 12, 1933, Ronald George Vuylsteke was the third-born child to George and Cecilia Vandehey Vuylsteke in Forest Grove, Oregon.
While at Forest Grove High School, to earn money, Ron would raise parakeets, selling them to Meier and Frank. Upon graduation, Ron attended just over a year at the University of Portland. It was there that he met his future wife, Marjorie Wilkerson, at a “Sunday Social” put on by the Catholic schools.
Shortly after meeting Marj and putting an engagement ring on her finger, Ron joined the army, where he was assigned to the infantry, serving at Fort Lewis, Fort Ord, Fort Campbell, and Germany.
After returning from Germany, Ron and Marj married in October of 1955, honeymooned in Lincoln City, and then motored across the country twice as he continued with his military life. They eventually landed back at Fort Ord, where they began their family, having Ronald George Vuylsteke II in 1956, (which is when Ron became Ronald George Vuylsteke, Senior). Five more children, John, Stephen, Thomas, Douglas, and Sara, followed shortly after.
Ron and Marj, with their first two babies, returned to Oregon in 1958. Ron began taking radio repair classes while taking a job at Tektronix.
Not quite a decade later, a bumper crop of blackberries and a gift for canning and freezing led to the idea of making wine. Soon, an amateur wine club was started (which continues to this day), and their garage in Beaverton was converted into a wine cellar. After a few years of experimenting with a wide variety of ingredients, a neighbor asked if they had considered starting a winery. The couple laughed, knowing this would be impossible on their income, and at this point, the two families established a decades-long relationship of one family providing the winemaking expertise and the other providing the funding to help make this dream come true.
On May 18th, 1970, Ron and Marj established the 50th bonded winery in Oregon, Oak Knoll Winery, at the former Burkhalter Dairy in Hillsboro, Oregon. For the next four years, Ron continued to work at Tektronix while making wine with his wife and their original crew of six children.
Oak Knoll would go on to create award-winning fruit, berry, and varietal wines. Ron was very proud that his 1993 Pinot Gris was served at the White House to the King of Morocco in 1995.
In the late 1980s, Ron became the patriarch of a second family, establishing a new home with Pamela Lint and her four children: Jeffrey, Gregory, Disa, and Tyson. Ron and Pam would marry in May of 1995 in Reno, Nevada.
Ron was a lifelong member of the Elk’s Lodge, where he enjoyed partaking in charitable events and the companionship of friends. He served in the roles of Trustee, Treasurer, and Trustee Chairman through the late 1980s into the 1990s.
He loved watching sports, especially basketball and football, being a fan of the Oakland Raiders. Stop by on a weekend, and some game was bound to be playing in the background.
Ron loved to fish and camp, passing on this love to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Tent camping at Deadhorse and Campbell Lakes was the yearly vacation for his children, and “fake camping” with the comforts of a fifth wheel was the anticipated yearly trip for his grandchildren. For several years, Ron and Pam had a site at Detroit Lake, where they would spend time with family and friends. They also loved taking out their little aluminum boat out on the High Lakes. Ron’s sons continue to get together for a yearly camping trip.
Ron would share that the highlight of his travels was in 1983, when he, Marj, and their daughter Sara traveled to his father’s hometown of Pitthem, Belgium. While driving down the road, they noticed a sign that said “Vuylsteke”. They immediately got out and introduced themselves. The elderly couple who owned the fish market did not speak English, but their daughter translated as best she could. Although they were never able to establish how they were related, the elderly gentleman looked like Ron’s father. The family insisted they join them for dinner, and a lifelong memory was created.
Ron passed away on September 23, 2025, cognitively aware until the end, surrounded by loved ones. A private, family service will be held for Ron at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church on October 6th. A public celebration of his life will be held on October 11th at 1:00 at the Elks Lodge, 7553 NE Quatama St., Hillsboro, Oregon 97124. Friends and family are invited to join.
Saturday, October 11, 2025
1:00 PM
Elk’s Lodge, 7553 NE Quatama St, Hillsboro, OR 97124
