Ronald was last seen on 09/02/1989. Per media, he was canoeing with four other Nikiski residents from McKinley Village to Riley Creek in two canoes lashed together catamaran-style. The group reached Riley Creek late Saturday and was taking the canoes out of the river when they were swamped by a wave. The other individuals made it to shore but Ronald went back to the canoes to save equipment. He was last seen floating down the river with the canoes and he was going under. The canoes were found on Sunday wrapped around an abutment at Jonesville Bridge, the first bridge north of the entrance to Denali National Park. Ronald's body was never found.