Ronald Guenther

POCATELLO - Ronald Richard Guenther, at the age of 69, passed away Saturday, March 20, 2010, from complications of a stroke at a local hospital with family members at his side.

Ron was born in Plains, Montana on August 20th, 1940. He spent five years of his youth living with his aunt Margaret and uncle Charlie. He then moved to Chiloquin, Oregon, his family then moved to Pocatello, Idaho where he graduated from Pocatello High School in 1959.

Ron married Arleene Harris on September 2, 1960 in McCammon, Idaho. They were blessed with three children, Rhonda, Tom, and Dirk.

His work carried him and his wife to Clarkston, Washington in 1961, where his daughter was born. In 1963 his family moved to Pocatello, Idaho where his first son, Tom was born. From there, they went to Butte, Montana where his second son Dirk was born in 1964.

His work took him to the Lewiston, Idaho area in 1966. And then in 1981, he brought his family back to Southeast Idaho. Ron was a certified crane operator and could run any piece of heavy equipment used on a construction site. He loved his work and took great pride in the construction and demolition of structures ranging from bridges to stadiums. There are many bridges in Idaho that Ron had a hand in building. He was instrumental in helping with the cleanup of the Mount St. Helens eruption in Washington State in 1980. He was known as the best crane operator in the Northwest States. Ron finished his career with the duties of an equipment operator foreman for BBWI at INL and there he trained and certified other operators. After working for forty years he retired from the Operating Engineers Union Local 370 in 2002.
Ron loved NASCAR, hunting, fishing, wood working, and gardening. He enjoyed visiting his kids, grandkids, extended family, and friends all over the Northwest.

Ron is survived by his wife of fifty years Arleene; his daughter, Rhonda Gene Guenther of Idaho Falls; his sons, Thomas Charles (Sheri) Guenther of Billings, Montana, Lewis Dirk (Kelli) Guenther of Casper, Wyoming; his brothers, Orvie (Roxy) Guenther, Howard (Val) Guenther; and sisters Nellie (Herb) Starkey, and Janice Wasser; cousins, Jim and Dorothy Sellers. He is also survived by his grandchildren Samatha, Richard, Arleene, Cassandra, and Margaret Guenther.

He was preceded in death in death by his parents, Howard and Jennie Guenther; an aunt, Margaret, and an uncle, Richard.

Service information appears under the "Service Schedule" tab above.