Rev. Ronald Retherford

Ronald Dwayne Retherford, 78, of New Berlin, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, at Silverado North Shore Memory Care in Glendale, Wisconsin, following a courageous ten-year journey with Primary Progressive Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia.

Ron was born on December 29, 1947, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Russell and Mabel Retherford. During his childhood, his family moved from Des Moines to Fort Worth, Texas, and then on to Green Bay, Wisconsin.  These experiences contributed to his lifelong ability to connect easily with people, from all walks of life.

While attending the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Ron met the love of his life, Sandra, through the UWGB Ecumenical Center and First United Methodist Church in Green Bay in 1969. Their friendship blossomed into a lifelong partnership, and they were married on June 5, 1971. Together they built a loving family and shared more than fifty-five years of marriage grounded in faith, devotion, adventure, and service to others.

As their family grew, Ron embraced fatherhood with the same enthusiasm, energy, and dedication that he brought to every aspect of life. He was deeply involved in the lives of Shawn, Jed and Drew, rarely missing an opportunity to support them on the soccer or baseball field, at the pool, or in the community. Whether coaching youth soccer teams, cheering from the sidelines, participating in swimming meets, planning family camping adventures, or joining church mission trips, Ron believed that some of life’s most important lessons were learned through shared experiences. He found great joy in spending time with his family and creating memories that would last a lifetime. The values of faith, service, curiosity, and love that guided his own life were passed on through countless everyday moments with his children.

Ron was a member of the first graduating class at UWGB, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. He continued his education at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1974 and a Master of Christian Education degree in 1975. In 1991, he completed certification in Marriage and Family Therapy, further strengthening his ability to support and care for those facing life’s challenges.

Committed to a life of ministry, Ron was ordained as a Deacon in The United Methodist Church in 1971 and as an Elder in 1976. His ministry began as a Resort Minister in Door County during the summers of 1971 and 1972. In 1975, he joined Waukesha First United Methodist Church as Associate Pastor and Minister of Christian Education, serving there until 1981.

Over the next three decades, Ron faithfully served congregations throughout Wisconsin. He was Lead Pastor of the Antigo and Mattoon United Methodist Churches from 1981 to 1985, Brown Deer United Methodist Church from 1985 to 1995, Our Lord’s United Methodist Church in New Berlin from 1995 to 2002, and Community United Methodist Church in Elm Grove from 2002 until his retirement in June 2010. Throughout his ministry, he guided countless individuals and families through moments of celebration, challenge, grief, and growth. His compassion, thoughtful counsel, and genuine care for others left a lasting impact on the communities he served.

Beyond his pastoral work, Ron was deeply involved in leadership and service throughout the Wisconsin Annual Conference and his local community. He served on numerous boards and committees, including extended terms on the Board of Ordained Ministry, the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation, and the New Berlin Public Safety Commission.

Ron approached life with boundless curiosity and energy, embracing every opportunity to learn, create and connect. He was an avid woodworker, bicyclist, musician, camper, traveler, and consummate tinkerer. There seemed to be little he could not fix, improve, build, or create. Whether repairing something around the house, crafting a woodworking project, planning a family camping trip, joining a bike ride, or gathering people around a campfire with his guitar, Ron found joy in bringing people together and making life richer for those around him.

Those who knew Ron will remember his warm smile, engaging conversational style, remarkable ability to remember details about others, and genuine interest in every person he met. He had a gift for making people feel seen, heard, and valued. More often than not, his guitar was nearby, ready to accompany a song, a worship service, or an impromptu gathering of family and friends.

Ron took immense joy in being a grandfather, and nothing made him happier than showing up for his grandkids. He was their biggest fan, faithfully attending their games, concerts, recitals, and school events. His pride was unmistakable, especially when he cheered loudly from the stands, often punctuated by his signature whistle that everyone recognized. Beyond their activities, Ron loved spending time with them outdoors, whether going to parks, taking walks, or heading out on bike rides. Supporting their adventures and accomplishments was one of his greatest pleasures, and he never missed a chance to celebrate them with love and enthusiasm.

Above all else, Ron was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His family was the center of his life, and he consistently placed their needs and well-being ahead of his own. The same care, encouragement, and steady presence that he offered to his congregations were experienced first and foremost by those closest to him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra Retherford; his children, Dawn Retherford, widow of Shawn Retherford; Jed and Amy Retherford; and Drew Retherford and Monica Gremillion; his grandchildren, Chloe and Addison Retherford, Hazel, Helen, and Ezra Retherford, and Wyatt Gremillion-Retherford; his siblings, Joan Mason, Kristine Retherford, and Randal Retherford; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, former parishioners, and colleagues.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Mabel Retherford, and his son, Shawn Retherford.

Ron was committed to the fight against Primary Progressive Aphasia, participating for nearly a decade in a Northwestern University study of PPA.  Although PPA gradually took away Ron’s ability to communicate in the ways he once did so effortlessly, it never diminished the kindness, warmth, faith, and love that defined him. Throughout his illness, he remained surrounded by family, cared for by dedicated professionals, and sustained by the relationships he spent a lifetime building. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched through his ministry, friendship, service, and love.

A visitation will be held on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. A second visitation will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. and a luncheon immediately afterward, all at Community United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Community United Methodist Church in Elm Grove in Ron’s memory. Memorial contributions will be divided between the church’s music ministry and dementia care initiatives, two causes that were especially meaningful to Ron. Those wishing to further support dementia research and care may also make donations in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or other Dementia charities.

“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.” – John Wesley