Submitted photo Ron Walstrom of Fort Dodge (right) stands with Iowa Golden Gloves champion Martin Schuh (middle) and Fort Dodge Boxing Club owner Bud Fair in 2012.

Ron Walstrom’s pure love of boxing was always more than enough for him.

Even so, the Iowa Amateur Boxing Association decided to give Walstrom’s unwavering passion the formal recognition it deserves.

A fixture in the sport for over four decades, Walstrom will become the first Fort Dodger to gain induction into the IABA Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Val Air Ballroom. The 1979 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate is being recognized during the state’s Golden Gloves event this weekend in West Des Moines.

”It’s obviously an honor,” Walstrom said. ”(The news) really caught me off guard. Being a hall of famer never even entered my mind; I don’t consider myself as someone who belongs.

”I’ve never done this for the recognition. It’s all about relationships and camaraderie. I’ve always really enjoyed the sport, and the gym has meant so much to me. It kept me out of trouble when I was young, and now, being able to work with young people — that’s all the reward I need.”

Walstrom spent over 20 years in the ring, where he was a nine-time Iowa Golden Gloves champion and a five-time former ABF title holder. He fought for four years during his time in the service, where he became a two-time All-Army champ.

Walstrom has been involved with the Fort Dodge Boxing Club for 41 years. His long-time partner, fellow Iowa boxing icon Bud Fair, was named an IABA coaching Hall of Famer two years ago.

”Ron has always loved to teach the sport of boxing,” said 2009 FDSH graduate Martin Schuh, a seven-time Iowa Golden Gloves winner and six-time national Golden Gloves participant. ”He found time out of his schedule to make it to the gym and teach any person, who was willing, to box.

”He coached me for my first four Golden Gloves titles and taught me everything I knew up to that point when I was about 20 (years old). I could talk all day about how much Ron meant to me growing up. We were basically family for 10 years.”

Walstrom remembers winning championships after both his son, Ben, and daughter, Sydney, were born in 1988 and 1990, respectively. Ben would eventually earn an Iowa Golden Gloves title himself.

”It was always a difficult balancing act, staying dedicated to the sport but also trying to work and raise a family,” said Walstrom, who was employed by Electrolux for over 30 years before taking a position at Sparboe and driving a school bus for the FDCSD. ”I’ve been very lucky to have a strong support system with my wife (of nearly 31 years), Brenda.”

Walstrom’s greatest satisfaction has been seeing competitors like Schuh develop from the ground up.

”Watching kids develop that show up for the first time (at the FDBC) and can’t even tie their own shoes — that’s what it’s all about,” Walstrom said. ”Seeing the process all the way through. You build a special bond and strong relationships with them, and you really learn a lot from each other in the process.

”I’ve been blessed. I can’t say enough about Bud Fair and work he’s done (at the FDBC since taking over in 1982). He’s just like me in that he (stays involved) because he loves it. We’re not doing it for a pat on the back or a hall of fame call, but it sure does mean a lot.”