Ronald Louis Wenda

Ron was born on August 4, 1938 in Chicago, IL to Mary Gardner Wenda and Joseph J. Wenda. Ron attended the University of Illinois earning a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964.

Prior to graduation, Ron married Sara (Sally) Crandall of Minneapolis on November 9, 1963. The two met while working summer jobs at Yellowstone National Park in the summer of 1962. Following their college matriculation, Ron and Sally moved to Buffalo and then shortly after to Endicott, NY when Ron took a job with IBM. It was in Endicott that they welcomed their first child, David Wenda, who currently works in sports broadcasting and resides with his wife, Annette in St. Augustine, FL.

In 1972, the family moved to Raleigh as Ron continued his career with IBM and earned a Master's degree from Syracuse University. Sally worked as a teacher at Millbrook Baptist Kindergarten. In 1973, the couple welcomed their second child, Edward Wenda, who works as a dentist in Asheboro, NC and is married to Susan Upchurch Wenda. The couple has four children, Hannah, Tyler, Harper and Jeffrey.

Ron retired from IBM in 2001, and Sally retired from teaching the same year. In retirement, the couple was able to have many wonderful trips overseas and other adventures. Ron and Sally were active members of Christ Church in downtown Raleigh for more than 40 years where Ron was a lector, Lay Eucharistic Minister and usher. Ron loved to cook for family and friends and was passionate about environmental causes. He enjoyed spending time on the Blue Ridge Parkway and at the NC coast. He also loved the NC Symphony, Chicago sports teams and taking walks on the Raleigh Greenway, especially at the NC Museum of Art.

Ron was a consummate family man and father who spent his later years doting on his wife, children and grandchildren. He was the backbone of our family and the one everyone could always count on for anything and everything. He will be missed by numerous friends and relatives, but none more so than his wife, children and grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 9, 2025 at Christ Church, 120 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601. A reception will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the NC Museum of Art, 4630 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699 or to your local PBS or NPR stations.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St, Raleigh is serving the Wenda family.