Dunlap was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana,[1] graduating from James Whitcomb Riley High School in 1955, where he was active in drama and choral groups.
He entered Harvard University as a doctoral student of economics, but left the program to work for Boeing in Seattle, Washington.
[1] Dunlap served as a member of the Washington State House of Representatives from 1974 to 1980, after volunteering time to the King County Republican headquarters in 1973.
[1] Dunlap announced his candidacy to seek a full four-year term as Executive in June 1981, and although he held a significant fundraising edge and exit polls showed him leading Randy Revelle, he was narrowly defeated in the November 1981 election.
Allison died in 2002 from cancer,[1][9] and Ron Dunlap later would go on to remarry the former Barbara Hermsen, a fellow Harley-Davidson enthusiast and licensed pilot.