Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
Ronald.
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for Ronald Anathor Henrikson
Col. (Dr.) Ronald A. Henrikson, USAF (ret), 78, of Colorado Springs, Colorado and formerly of Brooklyn, New York, passed away peacefully at sunset with family by his side in Hospice Care at Penrose Hospital on Friday, March 15th after suffering a stroke. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 51 years, Carolyn Henrikson. He is survived by daughter Sonja (Henrikson) Beaudoin and husband Phillip; son Erik Henrikson and wife Julie; his 6 grandchildren Megan and Andrew Beaudoin and Elizabeth, Isabel, Isaac and Ruth Henrikson. He was the definitive gentleman, patriot, servant leader, friend & family man. He is dearly missed by all who knew him.
Ronald was born in 1940 in the Brooklyn Borough of the City of New York, New York to Helen (Filas) and Yngwar Henrikson. He attended New York University, graduating with a degree in Biology, then attended Upstate Medical Center of the State University of New York on a scholarship, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1966. While in medical school he met and “grew in love” with his future wife, Carolyn, a nursing student at the time.
On August 28, 1965, Ronald and Carolyn married in Walton, NY in the Episcopal Church in the presence of their family and friends. Ronald completed medical school and his internship, while Carolyn worked at University Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Then it was off to Akron Children’s Hospital where Ronald completed his pediatric residency while Carolyn worked as a surgical nurse. There they celebrated the birth of their daughter, Sonja Anne. Ronald entered the U.S. Air Force a year later and it was off to Mather AFB, California (near Sacramento, CA) for their first Air Force assignment, the beginning of what was to be a 30 year enjoyable and very successful career in the Air Force. Ronald first served as a pediatrician at Mather Air Force hospital, and two years later rose to Chief of Pediatric Services. While stationed at Mather AFB, he and Carolyn rejoiced at the birth of their son, Erik Anathor. Ronald served as Chief of Pediatrics and Chief of Chief of Clinical Services at U.S. Air Force Clinic on Zweibrucken Air Base, Germany; Chairman of Department of Pediatrics and Director of Hospital Services at the U.S. Air Force Regional Hospital on Carswell AFB, TX; Commander of the U.S. Air Force Hospital on Whiteman AFB, MO; Commander of U.S. Air Force Hospital on Ellsworth AFB, SD; Commander of the 509th Strategic Hospital on Pease AFB, New Hampshire, where Ronald’s mother joined them and Carolyn lovingly cared for her; medical inspection team leader in the Directorate of Medical Inspection at Norton AFB, CA; Deputy Surgeon and Director of Professional Services, at Air Training Command Headquarters on Randolph AFB, TX; Commander of the 42nd Medical Group on Maxwell AFB, AL; and finally Chief of the Air Force Branch of the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, CO. In 1999, he retired from the Air Force.
Ronald’s military decorations included the Legion of Merit, Air Force Meritorious Service medal with three oak leaf clusters, Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three devices, and the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award. He was a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Appointed military consultant to the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General for Pediatrics, and held professional memberships in the Association of Military Surgeons of the Uniformed Services, Uniformed Services Chapter West of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Aerospace Medical Association, Society of U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeons, and American College of Physician Executives.
Upon retiring from the Air Force, he and Carolyn settled in the Monument/Colorado Springs area, building their “cabin in the woods” retreat in which they could enjoy nature, but close enough to attend Air Force Falcon football games, enjoy events on the town in both Colorado Springs and Denver, and take trips into the Rocky Mountains they loved.
Ronald continued to give selflessly of his time to his community, serving wherever he could, always willing to lend a hand. An Eagle Scout himself, he supported scouting on multiple levels, from district leadership and scout day camp inspector, to escorting his son and grandsons on scouting trips and buying more Cub Scout popcorn and Girl Scout cookies than he and Carolyn could eat. He was a consummate volunteer, and loved his monthly service to Our Community News, labeling bins, counting, stuffing and sorting papers for the local community newspaper.
Passionate supporter of the arts, he enjoyed live theater, symphonic, and opera performances worldwide, and he passed on this appreciation to his children and grandchildren, often treating them to attend as his special guest to performances of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Theaterworks, the Fine Arts Center, Central City Opera, and many more.
He loved cycling, if the weather was nice, he was either out on a bicycle or wishing he could. If the weather was poor, he’d retreat down to his basement for a virtual ride. He pedaled across Colorado, Wyoming and the Netherlands (ten annual 2-week bike & barge tours). He shared his love of cycling with his children and later grandchildren, providing bicycles for all of them and taking them on fun rides which usually included an ice cream stop. He publicly shared his love of cycling as the ultimate Spinning instructor for 20+ years, creating hundreds of different spinning program recordings and encouraging each rider to reach his/her potential. He was a regular at the McDonalds on N. Academy, where friendly staff knew his order, including his signature coke float.
But most of all, Ronald put his family first, and was an exceptional loving Husband, Father, and Opa.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 22nd for Visitation at 9:00 am and Celebration of Life at 10:00 am followed by a luncheon reception all at Woodman Valley Chapel (Rockrimmon Campus), Colorado Springs, CO. Burial will follow at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO.
Memorial donations in Ronald’s memory may be made to Tri-Lakes Cares, 235 North Jefferson St., (or mailed to P.O.Box 1301), Monument, CO 80132.
