Ronald Roland Pfannenstein

On April 22, 2016, Ronald Pfannenstein entered the Kingdom of Heaven to be with our Lord Jesus.

Ron was born on July 21, 1941. Matinee cowboys, action and war heroes had an early influence on him, so after attending Santa Rosa High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Upon completion of boot camp at MCRD San Diego, he was assigned to the 5th Marine Division, and later the 3rd Marine Division as a mortar man. He was awarded expert badges for both pistol and rifle. He was on board the attack transport ship , APA-248 USS Paul Revere, during an early flair-up in Laos and was later awarded the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for "pre-Vietnam" involvement.

While in the Corps, he met his forever love, Janice Marchak (with whom he stayed for 53 years). They married and decided to begin a family. After his discharge from the Marines with the rank of Corporal, he began working for Superior Tile in Santa Rosa, eventually becoming general manager and staying for over 25 years. During this time he and Janice raised three beautiful daughters; Tammy, Rhonda and Lori.

After Santa Rosa, Ron moved to Orangevale where his primary involvement was family. He took great pride in his children, grandchildren (Brandon and Erika Peterson, Cameron and Cassidy Knopp, Danielle Des Rosier) and great-grandchildren (Scottie and Noah Peterson and Kenzie Knopp). They all cherished him.

His love for the Lord, his country and his family was unquestioned. He was a staunch advocate for the 2nd Amendment and enjoyed target shooting with his sons-in-laws (David Peterson, Keith Knopp and Charlie Des Rosier) and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother (Virginia Sullivan), father (Lawrence Ross), step-father (Bill Pfannenstein), and sisters (Sherry, Penny and Kim). Survived by his brother Art Ross and his sisters Judy Hosche and Linda Pfannenstein.

He was truly one of a kind; he brought smiles to everyone who knew him. We will greatly miss his light hearted antics, youthful spirit and humorous story telling; especially of his being a Duncan Yo-Yo state champion. He loved all of his extensive family. There are too many wonderful people to list! (You know who you are.)

He never invented the wheel, but always had a say on how to improve it.