Ronald C. Bounous

Ronald C. Bounous died June 25, 2015 at the age of 80. After being welcomed into the world by the Bounous Family in Provo, Utah, May 22, 1935, his parents Chester and Ramola, and young Ron, returned to Hardin, Montana. Growing up near the Crow Reservation, he had classmates and friendships with people of many ethnic roots. His connection to the earth and nature started at an early age; he roamed free with his friends all over the reservation, and later worked surveying for the Holly Sugar Company and digging graves at Custer Battlefield. He accompanied his parents and brother, Gary, on numerous fly fishing trips in the mountains. His maternal grandfather, an engineer and inventor, introduced Ron to many activities and views that were not common in that place and time, taking him to pan for gold and teaching him to meditate at a young age. Ron deeply appreciated the effects this rich mix of experiences would have on his life. When he met Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist master, in the late 70's, it was a natural, familiar and immediate connection. Ron served as a Director of the now Austin Shambhala Center, teaching many beginning and advanced classes in that tradition and serving as a role model and meditation teacher to many students. Throughout his life he remained close to many Buddhist friends and practitioners, both in Austin and around the world. Ron attended the University of Minnesota and after getting his masters in social work, enlisted in the Air Force, serving as an officer and as one of the first social workers in that branch of service. He became a father at that time to his first daughter, Dianne, and son, David. After leaving the service, he then returned to the University of Minnesota to get his Doctorate degree, and began teaching at Ohio State University. From there, he travelled to help establish a school of social work in Puerto Rico. After moving to Austin to teach at the University of Texas School of Social Work, his daughter, Lisa, was born. Over the course of 20 plus years he was involved with establishing a doctoral program in that department, helped with establishing a Social Work program in El Paso, and in his last years in Austin, Ronheaded up the School of Social Work Master's program. Although teaching was one of his primary loves, he also maintained a psychotherapy practice, making the teaching of his students as rich and real as he could make it. Ron was a delightful cook and baker, using the many experiences of his rich life to develop a discriminating palate and appreciation of all foods. He also loved woodworking, and maintained one shop in Austin, and a second outside Red Lodge, Montana, at the creek side mountain cabin where he and his wife, Sue, spent many a joyful summer next door to his brother Gary and wife, Sharlyn. Ron loved the annual trips back to Big Sky country to fly fish, observe the wildlife, and explore. The times spent there with friends and family were of deep importance to him. Ron created a life in which diversity, open-heartedness, empathy and kindness were continually expressed, even in the ill health of recent years. His "Playful Heart" was evident in his jokes and storytelling, which will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him even briefly. Predeceased by his parents, brother Gary (Sharlyn), and beloved daughter Dianne Kemble (Mark). His memory is cherished by his wife Sue, daughter Lisa Brophy (John), son David (Johanna, grandson Lionel, and granddaughter Francisca), and granddaughters Joelle Kemble and Sarah Brophy, with whom he had an amazing heart connection. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Hospice Austin and Barton Hills Assisted Living, and the Austin Shambhala Community, who all helped him in the last part of his journey. A family memorial celebration will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor and memory of Ron may be made to these non-profit organizations: Montana Legacy Project, http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/montana/placesweprotect/montana-legacy-project.xml Nature Conservancy, https://support.nature.org/site/Donation2?10420.donation=form1&df_id=10420&intc=nature.tnav.membership.list Austin Shambhala Meditation Center, http://austin.shambhala.org/community/donate/ Hospice Austin, http://www.hospiceaustin.org/get-involved-2/donate/