James Ronald Salley

Dr. James Ronald “Ron” Salley, a devoted husband, father, engineer, and community leader, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after a courageous battle with throat cancer. He was 85.

Born November 10, 1939, in Belvidere, Illinois, Ron’s lifelong values of hard work and perseverance began on the family’s dairy farm, where he helped raise cattle and pigs and learned the value of responsibility from an early age. His curiosity and discipline led him to excel academically at Belvidere High School, where he was president of the Future Farmers of America, a track letterman, and photographer for the yearbook. He graduated among the top ten students in his class and received the Funderberg Award, recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and character.

Ron earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, completing all three by 1966. During his studies, he led the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was inducted into both Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon honor societies. He later taught in the Harvard University Special Studies Series and earned an executive MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

Following his education, Ron served his country as a Captain in the United States Air Force, stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. As a project engineer in the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, he contributed to major research and development efforts, with consulting assignments across Vietnam, Korea, and Thailand.

In 1969, Ron began a remarkable 31-year career with Shannon & Wilson, Inc., one of the nation’s leading geotechnical and environmental engineering firms. Over the decades, he helped the company grow from a 40-person regional firm to a 300-person national leader. His work took him from San Francisco to St. Louis and ultimately to Seattle, where he served as President and Chairman of the Board, as well as President of a geophysical subsidiary. Ron personally oversaw more than 2,000 engineering projects, ranging from foundation design for major structures to tunnel and landslide stabilization, dam engineering, and seismic studies for power plants. His leadership combined technical excellence with a genuine respect for his colleagues and clients alike.

Ron’s contributions extended well beyond his professional achievements. He was active in Rotary International for decades, holding leadership roles in San Francisco, St. Louis, Seattle, and Albuquerque. He was a two-time Paul Harris Fellow and was repeatedly recognized for his steady, thoughtful leadership, including the Quiet Leader Award in 2013. His church communities were also central to his life, where he served as deacon, elder, and committee chair, providing steady guidance grounded in faith and compassion.

After retirement, Ron continued to give back. In Albuquerque, he became an integral part of the Military Officers Association of America Ski Club, serving as Vice President and coordinating ski trips and charitable events. He approached every role whether it be professional, civic, or personal with humility, humor, and unwavering integrity.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Sharon, and their daughters Jennifer, Katherine, and Christine.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a charity of choice in Ron’s memory, honoring his lifelong commitment to education, service, and community.

Those who knew him will remember Ron for his quiet strength, generosity of spirit, and his steadfast belief that leadership is best measured by the lives one touches.