Final Salute

Ron Lindgren, 83, died at his home in Long Beach, California. He attended Rock Island High School, Rock Island, IL. Ron graduated “with highest honors” in the University of Illinois Bachelor’s Architectural Degree program. He received a Master’s degree in Architecture at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Upon graduation Ron enlisted in the Navy and was a Naval operations officer in Seabee Battalion Nine. He received three Bronze Stars for his distinguished service in Vietnam and Okinawa, Japan.

Upon return to civilian life, Ron commenced a thirty year architectural career in the Long Beach, California office of Edward A. Killingsworth, a notable designer of Mid-Century Modern “Case Study Houses”, hotels and resorts in thirty-seven countries and island nations. From employment as a novice draftsman to his elevation as a full design partner with Killingsworth, Stricker, Lindgren, Wilson and Associates, Ron designed hotels and resorts in California, Florida, Hawaii, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and on the islands of Fiji, Tahiti, Okinawa, Guam and Bali.

Mr. Lindgren considered his finest architectural achievement to be the realization of the Halekulani Hotel located directly on the Waikiki beach front of Honolulu, Hawaii. American readers of Conde-Nast’s “Traveler Magazine” selected this luxurious 456 room property to be “the finest tropical resort in the world.”

In retirement, Ron chose to extol the notable architectural achievements of the Killingsworth firm through lectures, print media, social media and film. He presented a series of one-hour illustrated lectures for local historical societies, museums, national Mid-Century architectural preservation organizations, branch chapters of the American Institute of Architects and collegiate art departments. He assisted in the 2013 publication of the monograph: “Edward A. Killingsworth – An Architect’s Life.” He was invited to co-host episodes of “Human(e) Architecture”, a weekly streaming cable TV production on the “Think Tech Hawaii” social media channel.

Upon cremation in California, Mr. Lindgren’s remains were scattered over the Pacific Ocean by his family.

Ron is survived by his sister and husband, a niece and husband and their children, a nephew and wife and their children.
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