Ronnie Lindgren

It is with profound sadness that we share that Ronnie Lindgren passed away on October 20, 2024, in Natick at the age of 54 after a courageous three-year journey with cancer. Through the many challenging days Ronnie endured, his journey became a life lesson for those around him. His spirit and humor never wavered, even during the toughest of days. Ronnie was an amazing father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend. Friends appreciated how Ronnie listened with genuine curiosity and warmth, creating a space where they felt their stories and experiences truly mattered. He so loved his family including his dog, Manuka, and appreciated each day, meeting it with quiet courage, optimistic perseverance, and a wonderfully dry sense of humor that would often catch you by surprise.

During his final weeks we want to thank Good Shepherd Hospice, especially Katie, and KRS Senior Care Services Inc., especially Cece, who went above and beyond to make sure Ronnie was comfortable and helped guide us through the hospice process.

Ronnie prepared the following reflections:

I was born December 1, 1969, in Luleå, Sweden. My time was far shorter than I wished, as there was still so much I wanted to see and do in life. I wanted to grow old with my wife, Cathy, and watch our daughter, Sarah, grow up. They have been the light of my life. I dreamed of more afternoons boating on Cape Cod Bay, sharing craft IPAs with friends, and creating cherished memories, but cancer had other plans.

In October 2021, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. I did my best to fight and I truly believe that I would not have lived as long as I did without my amazing wife by my side advocating on my behalf. I was supported by incredible doctors and nurses at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Centers at Newton Wellesley Hospital & Boston, and Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) in New York City.

In addition to my loving wife and daughter, I leave behind my family in Sweden, my sister, Jenny Hassgren (Lindgren), her husband Roger, niece Wilma Lindgren and aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In the U.S., I am survived by my in-laws, Dennis and Marie Corcoran, of Newton, Massachusetts, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ben and Melissa Corcoran; and nieces Sophie and Ava of Casselberry, Florida.

I was preceded in death by my loving parents, Lennart and Anita Lindgren from Luleå, Sweden.

I grew up in Luleå, Sunderbyn, Nykoping, and Sundsvall, Sweden. My family built a cabin on Småskär Island, providing us with countless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, from witnessing the northern lights in winter to experiencing the midnight sun in summer. I have fond memories spending my summers at the cabin, fishing and sailing with my family. One of my earliest memories is playing with my cousin Magnus on a wooden motorboat that my dad, Lennart and uncle, Birger, built together and where my love for boating first began.

I studied mechanical engineering in high school and then geology at Luleå University of Technology. It was at university that I met many of my closest friends who have faithfully stayed in touch especially during my cancer diagnosis – I treasure these friendships. While at university, my love for computers and all things technology led me to start my first company, Lindgren IT Inc., which built a database application for the chemical recycling industry to keep track of hazardous industrial waste.

In 1996, I co-founded RadioLAN Sweden Inc., a company that provided wireless high-speed internet access to businesses, which was acquired by Vattenfall in 1999. This brought me to Internet World 2000 in Los Angeles, where I met my future wife, Cathy, for the first time. Six months later, our paths crossed again when Cathy left her job to travel overland through the Middle East, and we briefly reconnected in London. A few weeks later, I flew out to visit her when her overland truck broke down in Amman, Jordan. It was during a candlelit nighttime walk through Petra that we realized we shared something special.

After returning home, I quit my job, and we met up in Kathmandu, Nepal, where we spent the next eight months backpacking through Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. Navigating the challenges of budget travel was a true test of our compatibility and built a strong foundation that has served us well over these past 22 years of marriage.

We married in 2002 and settled in Natick. In 2006 we welcomed our daughter, Sarah who has been a true joy and inspiration. In 2008, we moved to a new neighborhood where our neighbors have become dear friends, offering incredible support and help during my cancer treatments.

I spent ten enjoyable years with the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, where I made some lasting friendships. In 2012, I made the decision to start my own consulting business, Copper Tree Technologies, LLC. Working with people from various cultures around the world and conducting business together was incredibly fulfilling. This career shift gave me the wonderful opportunity to be home, fully engaged in raising Sarah and enjoying the priceless moments of watching her grow. I marvel at the incredible person Sarah has become, and I cherish the role I've played in her journey. Being her dad has been my most meaningful achievement.

I also loved spending time on Cape Cod, as the ocean and boating has always held a special place in my heart. I treasured the time spent on our boat making wonderful memories with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ronnie’s memory to Camp Kesem, an organization that has brought tremendous support and joy to our daughter. Camp Kesem provides free year-round support including a week-long camp for children impacted by a parent’s cancer. https://donate.kesem.org/RLindgren

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Memorial Service at the Unitarian Universalist Area Church at First Parish in Sherborn, 11 Washington St,. Sherborn, MA on Friday, November 1, 2024 at 10 am. A reception will follow. Services will be livestreamed for those that can’t attend in person. A slide show Ronnie created will be livestreamed 30 mins before service begins. Livestream Link: (Note: if link does not work, please copy and paste into your browser)

https://boxcast.tv/view/memorial-service-ronnie-lindgren-december-1-1969--october-20-2024-eqflyuzv72ajgaky3llu

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