Ronald (Ron) L. Pichulo, 85 received his angel wings on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019 at the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs, S.D.

Ron grew up in Naugatuck, Connecticut with his Mother, Amelia, Father, Louis, and favorite sister, Susan. "Ronny," as his mother called him, was an outgoing and loving young man, an avid New York Yankees fan and a portrait artist. After high school graduation, Ron joined the Airforce and served his country in the Korean War.

His service then took him to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada where Ron settled. His career choice was in the gaming industry where he worked as the keno manager for business owners like Howard Hughes and Benny Bennion.

It was in Nevada where he met and married his first wife and had his first child, Tony Pichulo. His second marriage to Karen Means brought a second son, Darren Pichulo into his life and two stepdaughters, Kobi Caldwell (Ebert) and Kathi Caldwell (Fite). To Ron, there was no difference between his sons and daughters and although the marriage did not last, his relationship with his children did. In 1992, Ron decided to leave the "big city" and move to Rapid City to be closer to his son Darren. It was the Black Hills that he would call home for the remainder of his years moving numerous times between Rapid City, Sturgis, Spearfish and Hot Springs. In his early years of living here you could find Ron spending time with his large extended family and enjoying a drink with friends at his favorite watering hole. In 2011, he moved to the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs, S.D. His family visited often to "break him out" to enjoy a meal at his favorite restaurant, play at the park or drive through the Black Hills together. When leaving the facility was no longer possible, the regular family visits continued at his favorite table in the dining room. In his last years his greatest joy came from watching his great grandchildren learn and grow.

He is survived by his sister; Susan Drumheller, children; Darren Pichulo, Tony Pichulo, his wife Tammy and their children, Kobi Ebert and Kathi and her husband Jim Fite, grandchildren; Lauren (Ebert) Branich, Jaime (Ebert) Barber, Nathan Fite and Justin Fite. Great grandchildren; Karena Barber, Cecelia Barber, Blake Branich and Landon Kapfenstien.

Ron was preceded in death by his Mother, Amelia and Father, Louis.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00am on Monday, January 6, 2010, at Saint Therese the Little Flower Catholic Church, 532 Adams Street in Rapid City, SD. Inurnment with Military Honors will be at 1:00pm at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com