Ronald Leo Penberthy

Ronald L. Penberthy, age 78, of Sun City West AZ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at Sun City Post-Acute Rehab, in Sun City West, AZ. 

On May 18, 2000, Ron was united in marriage to Rebecca (Becky) Gritz in The Bahamas. Previous to this union, Ron had two children, Melanie and Jim. Ron’s union with Becky brought four additional adult children into Ron’s life - Nikki, Crystal, Heather, and Amber. Ron loved them all dearly. Ron and Becky lived in Rosemount and St. Paul MN, and, upon retirement, various cities in Arizona, most recently Sun City West. They shared just under 24 years of marriage.

Ron is preceded in death by his loving parents, Leo and Lillie Penberthy, step-mother, Ruth Penberthy, brother-in-law, Butch Peterson, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Left to cherish Ron’s memory are his wife, Becky, sisters, Mary Lou (Wayne) Morrissette, Julie Peterson and brother Kevin (Linda) Penberthy. children, Melanie (Greg) Jenum, James (Maria) Penberthy, step-children, Nikki (John) Sackett, Crystal (Carla) Gritz, Heather (Travis) DeCook, and Amber Eustice. Ron took great pride in being a grandfather of 19 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and loving Papa of 2 pups, Mustang Sally and Lucy. 

Ronald (Ron) Leo Penberthy was born on March 19, 1946 in Bemidji, Minnesota. He was the second of four children born to Leo F. and Lillie W. (Saar) Penberthy. He graduated from Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul with the class of 1964. He furthered his education by attending the University of Wisconsin River Falls. Ron entered active military service in 1967 and served his country as an aircraft mechanic during the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge in 1969. In 2013, Ron retired as the Vice President of Crescent Electric. In his retirement, he enjoyed working part-time for Ace Hardware in Sun City. 

Many of the things Ron enjoyed most throughout his life included playing golf, watching football, traveling, sightseeing, exploring, driving, riding horses, and later on, he developed a love for reading. He will be most remembered for his sharp and quick wit, stubbornness, one-liners, and dry sense of humor. You never quite knew what he might say next! He had a smile and a laugh that could light up a room. Ron loved deeply and was deeply loved. 

Most important to Ron was spending time with his family, friends and his beloved pups. Many of his grandchildren’s’ happiest memories are of the times spent camping in the camper with Grandpa Ron and Mema/Nanny/Grandma Becky, or going on some sort of adventure or vacation. He loved to go on early morning grocery store runs with the grandkids to pick up donuts, juice, and coffee. While together, he loved to entertain his grandchildren with a story or fun activity.  

The family would especially like to thank all the caregivers who treated our dearest Ron with compassion and dignity in his final months, weeks, days, and hours. We simply cannot thank you enough.  

A memorial service will be held in Minnesota at a later date. Inurnment will be in Fort Snelling Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. Military honors will be provided.