Ronald Keith Trithart, 60, of Custer, SD, died November 6, 2006, at his home surrounded by those who loved him.

Ron was born in Punxsutawney, PA, on February 26, 1946. After graduating from high school in 1964, he attended Grove City College in Grove City, PA. He graduated in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Since he had a car, Ron often gave a fellow Grove City student rides back home to Punxsutawney for weekends and holidays. The car pool evolved into a friendship, and then blossomed into love. Soon after graduation, on June 22, 1968, Ron married Diane Lee Zimmerman.

Ron had completed a ROTC commission during college and commenced a 20-year career as an Air Force officer upon graduation. His first assignment sent him and his new bride to Cheyenne, WY, where he fell in love with the beauty of the West. He dreamed of a ranch, some horses, and a spectacular view. Diane, still fresh from the wooded hills of Pennsylvania, had a hard time seeing her future on the windswept plains of the West. After assignments in Wyoming, New Jersey, Alabama, and Florida, Ron was named commander of the 756th Radar Base south of Minot, ND, in 1978. At 32, he was the youngest base commander in the Air Force.

During their time back in the West, Ron took his wife and young son to every site of Old West historical significance within a few days driving distance, including the Black Hills. After Minot, Ron was stationed at March AFB in Riverside, CA, where he managed public affairs for the base, including VIP tours, media relations, and film productions. He also completed master's degrees in family and marriage counseling, and international relations & business.

In 1984, he was transferred to Ellsworth AFB, where he served four years as the Public Relations Officer, overseeing the base's community relations, including the introduction of the base's first B-1. After 20 years of honorable service, Ron retired from the Air Force at the rank of Major in 1988. Two years later, Ron left his position as the District Executive with the Boy Scouts of America in Rapid City and agreed to follow Diane's career to Tampa, FL. For the next five years, he worked for the Hillsborough Sheriff's Department as a 911 dispatcher, counseled troubled youth, and spent his free time riding his beloved horse, Belle. In 1995, Ron and Diane moved to Arizona, where Ron worked as an educator for Consumer Credit Counseling Service. While he enjoyed the rugged desert of southern Arizona, Ron yearned to return to the Black Hills.

And so in 1998, he returned and soon found his ranch just east of Custer. He spent his final years as he dreamed: running a bed and breakfast ranch with a few horses, nestled against the Black Hills he treasured. When he wasn't riding through the Hills or visiting with the guests, Ron worked as a psychologist for boys and girls at the STAR Academy in Custer until his illness disabled him in April 2006.

Everyone that had the honor of knowing him will sorely miss his kind, empathetic, and compassionate spirit. Ron is survived by his wife, Diane, of Custer, SD; his mother, Jean Trithart, of Punxsutawney; his sister and brother-in-law, Jan and Paul Bradley, of Washington, PA; his niece and nephew, Michelle and Scott Avolia, of Kansas City, MO; one son, Tim Trithart, and daughter-in-law, Kristina Hendrickson, of Rapid City, SD; and two grandchildren, Ella Blue and Sawyer Gray.

The family is planning a celebration of Ron's life on Friday, November 10th at 2:00 at Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church, 12622 US Hwy 16-A, Custer, SD, with Pastor David VanKley officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the Suncatcher Therapeutic Riding Academy's Ridership Fund or Custer Lutheran Fellowship's Discretionary Fund.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer, SD. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.