Ron Pineda

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Ron Pineda passed away suddenly Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.

He was born June 18, 1938, in Sterling, to Max and Catherine Pineda. He attended the University of Illinois and was a proud member of the Marine Corps. In 1961, he headed west to California to wrestle for the San Francisco Olympic Club.

In his 31-year federal civil service career, he worked for both the Navy and the Air Force at Mare Island, Vallejo, Calif.; Hunters Point, San Francisco; Sand Point, Wash.; and Mather Air Force Base, Sacramento, as well as bases in Iceland, Crete and Germany.

He retired from Mather in 1993, after many years as recreation services director.

His creativity always left his bases with enriched programs for the military and their families. He enjoyed many years in the antique business, was a tireless sports fan attending nine Olympic Games and three World Championships, and loved to golf and be with friends.

Ron’s lifelong passion for wrestling started at Sterling High, when he became state champion in 1956.

He went on to wrestle for the U of I where he was a letterman. He was All Marine Corps Champion in 1959, and took second in the 1964 Olympic Trials in Greco, while wrestling for the Olympic Club. His leadership as president of the Bay Area Wrestling Association helped the continuation of this program to provide all-year wrestling for Bay Area youths. He coached wrestling for the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marines as well as college and high school, and started the first Japanese wrestling exchange with the United States.

Ron lived and enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved kids and dogs, and his uniquely exuberant character endeared him to many, young and old. He will be sadly missed.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Donna; his brothers, Richard, Randy, Butch and Roger; his sisters, Sandra and Sylvia; four aunts; one uncle; many nieces and nephews; numerous in-laws; and many friends.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. March 3 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 1017 11th St., Sacramento, Calif.

Remembrances may be sent to support the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue, Stillwater, OK 74075-5025.