Ronald Bruce Van Pelt

On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Ronald Bruce Van Pelt, a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away at the age of 81.

Ron Van Pelt was born in Glendale, California on June 3, 1942. He was the first of three children born to parents, Richard and Jean Van Pelt. Ron was an only child for nine years before his twin sisters, Sharon (Fox) and Shirley (Golgert), were born in 1951. Ron spoke fondly of his childhood. Growing up in Mar Vista California, he was especially proud of how he was able to earn his own money delivering newspapers at the age of 13. He explained how by working hard and saving his money, he was able to buy things that he wanted in life. He had a strong work ethic that continued throughout his life - never missing a single day of work – EVER.

Ron graduated with Venice High School’s class of 1960 and soon met the love of his life, Patricia (Siemers). The young couple married in 1963 and had their first child only a year later. Together they would raise four children in all – Linda (Novak), Diana (Van Pelt), Donna (Hernandez), and Ronald (Ronnie) Van Pelt. Ron was always the sole provider for the family, while Patricia would take on the role of stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Family was very important to them.

In 1971, Ron bought the family home in the San Fernando Valley. He did most of the repairs and remodeling himself but was best known for the many hours he spent working in the yards. It was in this home that for over 50 years, their growing family would continue to gather to celebrate holidays, birthdays and other special occasions.

Ron’s hobbies over the years were bowling and playing cards. The family vacations were often spent at Lake Tahoe where Ron could spend part of the time playing cards and the other part going horseback riding or playing miniature golf with the family.

Ron was fortunate that he was able to retire a little early from working at the age of 62. He had spent 36 years working as a driver for the Pioneer Bread Baking Company, where he delivered bread to restaurants and markets along the beaches of the pacific coast highway. Once retired, he developed even closer relationships with his family. He took on a more nurturing role and would eventually serve as the primary caregiver for his wife, before she passed in 2021.

Two years later, on June 7, 2023, Ron left this earth to join his beloved wife in heaven. Ron is survived by his children, his sisters, as well as his eight grandchildren - James, Joshua, and Justin (Van Pelt), Jessica and Andrew (Hernandez), Ronnie and Katie (Van Pelt), and Danny Moreno, - his three great grandchildren (Avery, Cataleya, and Achilles) and his beloved puppy – Chance.

Words cannot express how much Ronald and Patricia Van Pelt will be missed by their family and by all who knew and loved them. May they rest in peace together forever.