Ronald "Ron" A. Bena

Ronald A. Bena, 90, of Highlands Ranch, CO passed away on July 11, 2021 after an 18-month battle with cancer. Ron was born in St Louis, MO to Tony and Helen Bena, who owned and operated a drug store. He graduated from CBC High School in 1948, with honors and as the Cadet Regimental Commander. He went on to St Louis University where he graduated in 1952 with both an engineering degree and an ROTC commission as a 2LT in the Air Force. His career with the Air Force spanned 26 years, rising to the rank of Colonel. In addition to his deployments during the Korean War and the War in Vietnam, Ron and his family lived in and around Air Force bases all around the country. He was awarded numerous personal medals and unit citations for exceptional performance. Along with his stellar military career, Ron earned a master’s degree from the University of Missouri. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1978, Ron moved to Colorado and assumed the position of Director, Aerospace R&D for Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin). He held that position 1991 before retiring a second time. In his retirement, Ron and his wife, Tomi, travelled extensively, went on many cruises, and visited their five children around the country. In 2008, they moved into VI (a Hyatt Retirement Community). He enjoyed painting, acting in plays, the poker group, and helped start up a Veteran’s group at VI. Ron leaves behind his beloved wife of 69 years, Tomi; their five children – Christi, Tracy, Clare, John, and Bill; eleven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; and his brother, Richard. He was pre-deceased by a grandson, Mark. Friday, September 24, 2021 Pax Christi Catholic Church 5761 McArthur Ranch Road Littleton, CO 80124 10:45 Rosary 11:00 Funeral Mass 12:00 Reception (In Pax Christi Church Hall) Ft. Logan National Cemetery 2:00 Arrival 2:30 Memorial Service In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to support the Highlands Ranch Hospital Oncology Fund at the UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. Please send your gift in memory of Ronald Bena to: University of Colorado Foundation, PO Box 17126, Denver CO 80217. On the memo line of the check, please note Ronald’s name and make it payable to the CU Foundation. Gifts may also be made online at https://giving.cu.edu/fund/highlands-ranch-hospital-oncology-fund. -Or- In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to supportEsperanza for Honduras– whose Mission isto provide a safe and healthy learning environment for the underserved K-12 children at the Home of Nazareth School in Honduras.Esperanza isnon-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the education nutrition and well-being of children in Honduras ...theyoperate through contributions that support the education, nutrition, and well-being of the children and community at Home of Nazareth school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.Esperanza has been supporting the education of these impoverished parish children or over 10 years … started by Tracy McNulty, the foundation provides tuition, food, clothing, and teaching supplies to promote a positive learning environment. Through this efforttheyhope to break the cycle of poverty and allow these children to reach their potential.https://esperanzaforhonduras.org/Donations-in-Memorial