Ronald D. Pankratz of Bend, Ore., passed away June 5, 2012. Ronald was born to Peter and Tena Pankratz on Oct. 18, 1925, in Florence, Kan. He was raised on a family farm until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. While in the Navy, he attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1946. Ronald served as a Navy officer for 11 years and then made his career as an engineer in the aerospace industry.

He married Irene Stovall of Florence on Dec. 27, 1948, in Baltimore, Md. They made their home in many parts of the country with his career in the Navy and in the aerospace industry. He retired from Thiokol Chemical Corporation in 1985. He and Irene moved to Bend in 2000 to be near one of their daughters.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Irene; two daughters, Sheryl (Jim) Sorensen of Denver, Colo., and Linda (Bob) Baron of Bend; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Earl, and his sister, Lenora. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service was to be in the chapel at the First Presbyterian Church in Bend on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Bend, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, OR 97701.