Ronald E. Prior, PhD

In Memory of Ronald Edwin Prior, Ph.D.

August 4, 1944 – October 25, 2026

Ronald E. Prior, 82, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2026, at Hayden Place in Hayden Lake, Idaho.

Ronald was born in Los Angeles, California, on August 4, 1944, to Darold Edwin and Winifred Prior.

He was raised in Westchester and attended Westchester High School. As a young teenager, he earned an amateur radio (ham) license. His call sign was W6RGF, and he used his ham radio rig on and off throughout his life.

Ronald earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in 1967, a master’s degree in 1968, and a doctorate in electronic engineering in 1972. In 1979, he founded 21st Century Scientific in Los Angeles. Seeing the need for improvements in power wheelchairs, he developed products to increase their speed and range and created useful accessories. The BOUNDER power wheelchair was introduced in 1988.

In 1982, while building a small manufacturing company, Ronald met Susan Harris, who was selling small-business insurance. He often joked that all his relationships before Susan were “B.S.—Before Susan.” What began as a business meeting grew into a 44-year relationship.

In 1990, Ronald and Susan moved 21st Century Scientific to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with help from Jobs Plus. They saw the move as an opportunity of a lifetime, and the company flourished. Ronald’s vision continues in every BOUNDER built today: a durable, customizable chair designed around the needs of the individual user. His influence can also be seen in the company’s enduring commitment to improving mobility and helping people live more active lives. These products can still be viewed today on the web at wheelchairs.com.

Outside his work, Ron was passionate about rollerblading and ice skating. Those interests reflected his love of movement and the freedom of being active—values that also connect closely with the mobility products he helped create. For many years, he also enjoyed spending the winter months living on the beach in Mazatlán, Mexico.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Susan Harris, of Hayden, Idaho, and his sister, Darolyn Prior, of Westminster, California. He will be remembered by them and by the many people whose lives were improved by the products he created.

A celebration of Ronald’s life for family and friends will be held on November 22, 2026. For more information, contact Ron Davidson at rdd@wheelchairs.com.

May his memory continue to inspire all who carry his work forward.