Ronald Morris Nepsund

Ronald (Ronnie, Ron) Morris Nepsund, born on February 21, 1961, passed away on July 14, 2026, at the age of 65. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered as a beloved brother, uncle, family member and friend whose Christian spirit of generosity and warmth will be missed. If humorist Garrison Keeler had met Ron and created a character based on him in his Lake Woebegone tales, he would be a 2nd generation Norwegian American bachelor computer code “farmer” having adventures living in the big city. A consequential life-challenge was a diagnosis of adult-onset diabetes which impacted his eyesight and especially his kidneys. Peritoneal dialysis allowed him to live and work normally while his kidneys were failing. While working in Florida and registered on the regional kidney transplant list, he received a lifesaving kidney transplant from a traffic accident victim. This kidney sustained him for almost 30 years. He continued to live cautiously with diabetes and on anti-rejection immuno-suppression drugs to the end of his earthly life.

Ronnie, the second son of Jean and Lawrence Nepsund, was born in Los Angeles, California. He was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in North Hollywood, California in 1961, and was later confirmed in his faith at St. Paul's First Lutheran Church in 1974. Growing up, Ronnie attended Laurel Hall Lutheran Day School (preschool-grade 6) and St. Paul’s First Lutheran School (grades 7-9). He graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1979. He continued his education at California State University Northridge (CSUN) studying computer science, which paved the way for his successful career in technology. Young Ronnie did not excel in school. Our mother (a former teacher) in later years characterized him as “special.” Our father (manager of the City of Los Angeles Transportation Department’s IT services unit) recognized that “Ron thinks like a computer” (that is, excelling in understanding linear, narrowly defined patterns of complex systems.)

Ron was a skilled and innovative software programmer. While he was still attending CSUN, a professor's recommendation led him to become the first programmer hired by Magnum Software while still in school. In 1983, he notably programmed Magnum Software's very first title, an Apple II action game called Randamn, writing the entire game in assembly language in six months. Ronald became known among retro-gaming enthusiasts for having developed a complex, storage media track-level based anti-piracy protection for the game. Over the years he also developed other Magnum programs for Apple II, MacOS and iPhone IOS, such as TFLX (an early digital voice recording/messaging app), and Find Friends (made obsolete by Apple’s release of FindMy). Ron expanded his expertise in the ever-evolving tech world to integrating analog and digital multi-media. He brought his talents to Interactive Media Technologies (Scottsdale, AZ), programming unified serial control of professional recording, editing and broadcast systems by Sony, JVC, Panasonic, and others. Ron relocated to St. Petersburg, FL to work with a satellite communications startup on cutting edge compression software for satellite data, voice and video. He moved home to live with our mother in Westlake Village, CA while pursuing an opportunity in movie production where daily “rushes” would be transmitted via satellite from remote shooting locations to the production studios. Although Ron took on contract programming projects, he progressively became our mother’s full-time live-in caretaker as her mental acuity slowly declined. At the time of her death in 2020, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He considered himself retired in 2010.

Ronnie was a life-long follower of Jesus Christ. As a Lutheran Christian, he made prayer and daily scripture reading the foundational rhythms of his life. He enjoyed being with his church family at St. Paul’s First Lutheran in North Hollywood. He lived and died trusting in the forgiveness of Jesus his Savior with his eyes looking forward to a true grand reunion of faith-filled family and friends on Resurrection Day.

Young Ronnie blossomed when he mastered reading well enough in 4th grade to begin reading the science fiction version of The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew: Tom Swift. He became a voracious lifelong Sci-Fi reader and fan. Once Ron took a computer programming class at North Hollywood High School and received the gift of an Apple II from our parents, he knew where his passions lay, which included computer and console gaming.

However, as a young unathletic college graduate he boldly decided to take up Hang Gliding. All too soon a crash landing and hip replacement limited him to merely reading Windhaven and not emulating it. Later, he was inducted into the “Best Uncle Ever Hall of Fame” for not only constructing a large wooden swing set for his Texas niece and nephews, and starring during visits as “The Tickle Monster," but also gifting them with a Nintendo console and a trove of games one Christmas. In his retirement years he built his own 3D printer and his Nepsund.com website.

Ron is survived by his loving family, including, Brother Randall (Randy) Nepsund and sister-in-law Elizabeth of San Antonio, TX. Niece Marianne Nepsund-Beene and Nephew-in-law Michael Beene, Grand Nephew Owen Beene (2 years) of Portland, OR. Nephew Andrew Nepsund, former CBS sportscaster and Media Instructor, Lubbock TX Independent school district. Nephew Daniel Nepsund, Dr. of Physical Therapy, Austin, TX. Aunt Carol Brown-Ranchau, Thousand Oaks, CA. Numerous cousins: Nepsund (from 8 aunts/uncles), Brown (from 3 aunts), etc.

Ron was preceded in death by, Father Lawrence Nepsund (1981)and Mother Ilo Jean Brown-Nepsund (2020)

In Ron's memory, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St Paul’s First Lutheran Church & School which were so formative in his spiritual and educational life.

5244 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601 (https://stpaulsfirst.org/)