Dr. Ronald William Cornwell passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 2, 2025 after a short battle of complications from a recent cancer diagnosis. Born on June 20, 1958 in Emmett, Idaho, to David and Karen Cornwell, his first years of life were spent in Parma amongst his grandparents, who owned and operated the Parma Motor-vu Drive-in Theater. David’s job in the bank transferred the family to Lewiston, then Cottonwood, where Ron began elementary school. In 1966, the family moved to Weiser and Ron graduated from Weiser High School in 1976 (with his 6th grade year attended in Twin Falls). His love of music led him to performing with The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps in Casper, Wyoming, for two summers after his high school graduation and freshman year at Boise State University. His involvement in the BSU music program is where he met the love of his life, Patrice Reimer. During his biology classes at BSU, Ron felt a calling to pursue classes in pre-medicine, thus changing his major to pre-med. 1982 was a monumental year for Ron when he was commissioned into the United States Air Force to pursue his medical training as a 2nd lieutenant, was accepted into medical school at University of Nevada, Reno, and married his beloved wife, Patrice. After graduating as president of his med school class, Ron and Patrice moved to Dayton, Ohio, for his five years of surgical residency and beginning his career as captain in the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. While in Ohio, Ron and Patrice welcomed their first child, Briana, and four years later, their son Patrick. After completing his medical residency, Ron served as a major in the Air Force and general surgeon at Mountain Home Air Force Base. In Mountain Home, their family doubled in size when the twins, Austin and Kelsey, were born. The Cornwell and Reimer families were thrilled when Ron and Patrice moved their family to Caldwell in 1994 where Ron was a well-respected and dedicated general surgeon at West Valley Medical Center, St. Luke’s, and St. Alphonsus hospitals until his retirement in 2021. Ron saved countless lives in his 35-year career, yet his was taken far too soon.
Throughout his life, Ron had many accomplishments and honors, such as: clinical instructor at University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, countless years on the board of directors for West Valley Medical Center, president of the Idaho Medical Association, president of his local American College of Surgeons Chapter, and serving as an elder at Boone Memorial Church, and then at Christ Community Church. While all of these are impressive accolades and Ron’s devotion to his patients, friends, and colleagues was unwavering, his family is his greatest legacy and spending quality time with them was his favorite thing to do. All who knew Ron will remember his endless wit, sense of humor, love of music, but mostly his love of family and friends.
Ron is preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Patrice, their children, Briana (Nate) Toolson, Patrick (Alyssa) Cornwell, Austin (Alexis) Cornwell, and Kelsey Cornwell. He is also survived by his mother, Karen Cornwell, sisters Carol (Danny) Ozuna and Susan (David) Haaheim, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Becoming a first-time grandfather to Patrick’s son, Collin, was the highlight of Ron’s year.
A memorial service is scheduled for September 24 at 2:00 at “The Venue at Wood Farms” 18659 Houk Road, Caldwell, ID 83607. Pastor David Moody of Christ Community Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Community Church, 603 Everett St., Caldwell, ID 83605. Please write a message on a cork from your favorite bottle of wine to leave for the family.
