Rony Wiesel, a journalist who was active in the Seattle arts community, died May 4 at age 51 after a valiant 8-1/2—year battle with cancer. Mr. Wiesel served as artistic director for the Lakewood Players, and he was involved in the Northwest Screenwriters Guild. The author of short stories and full-length plays, he won an award for best creative journalism when he worked for the Tacoma News Tribune. Mr. Wiesel, an illustrator for books and medical texts, enjoyed drawing, painting and collecting golden age comic books. He was a mentor at the Seattle Kollel. His interest in environmentally responsible living extended to how he maintained his rental properties. Born in Toronto, Canada, Mr. Wiesel graduated from Beachwood High School in Cleveland and studied English Literature at Reed College. While in Oregon, he was the arts and education administrator for the Umpqua Valley Arts Center, and he was a theater artist in Portland.
Mr. Wiesel will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his parents Pnina and Joshua Wiesel and sisters Lori Schoen and Talia Botone.
Contributions or charitable donations in Rony’s name can be sent to the Virginia Mason Foundation, http://www.virginiamason.org or 1218 Terry Ave., P.O. Box 1930 M.S. D1-MF, Seattle, WA 98111-9866, or 206-583-6083.
Rony Wiesel
