Ronald Lee Brunner

Born in Peoria, Illinois, to Oscar and Cleo Brunner, Ron Brunner spent his early years and up through college in Terre Haute, Indiana. At age 12 a job as a caddy led to a lifelong love of golf. At Wiley High School he ran Cross Country, played basketball, and golfed. Awarded an academic scholarship to Rose Polytechnic Institute in Terre Haute (now Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology), he was the first in his family to attend college. After graduating with a Chemical Engineering degree, he enrolled in a master’s program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Though he could have gotten a student deferment, he allowed himself to be drafted into the Army. After an honorable discharge he started working at Shell Oil’s Wilmington refinery in 1955. He eventually moved to an above-garage apartment on 70th place on the Alamitos Bay Peninsula. A cute blonde washing her Nash Metropolitan across the street from the apartment sealed the deal. He married Susan Corley in 1957, and they enjoyed an active social life at the “Hat” on Ocean Blvd., DiPiazza’s on 2nd St., and with the “Shore Club.”

Their children, Scott and Karen, spent memorable early years in Long Beach at the beach and camping in the local mountains. Ron and Sue were active in politics, the YMCA, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, and in the Junior League (he sang in the Follies and worked at the Rummage Sale). In 1966 the family moved to Connecticut when Ron was promoted to Shell’s head office in Manhattan, and then moved again when the company’s HQ moved to Houston in 1968. Living near NASA led to close friendships with astronaut families, splashdown parties, and lots of golf. He thrived in his role as Manager of Safety and Health for Shell Chemical, but when offered early retirement in 1984 he fulfilled a promise to Sue and returned to Long Beach. He joined Virginia Country Club, started his own consulting business, joined community boards and the church vestry, and renewed friendships from previous Long Beach days.

Retirement brought more golf, especially with his dear “Soup Group” friends at VCC. After Sue’s passing in 2005, he married Patricia (Patti) Payne in 2007. They enjoyed golf, travel, and family time with their children and grandchildren. Ron is survived by Patti, son Scott (Kathleen), daughter Karen (Jim O’Connell), grandchildren Eric, Craig, and Emily, and Patti’s daughter Lezlie Booth.

Special thanks to fulltime caregiver Maria Nuño, as well as caregivers Flower Cardona and Seleste Rodriguez. Thanks also to Ziba Hospice which oversaw his peaceful passing at 92, at home, and surrounded by his family. Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to one of his favorite charities: The Salvation Army, The Los Altos Family YMCA, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, or St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church. Our consolation at this sad time is remembering him beaming and repeatedly exclaiming, “I’ve had a good life!”