Ronald L. Griffith, 78, of Akron passed away Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 in Lancaster. Born in West Reading, he was the son of the late Leon Griffith and Helen (Johnston) and James Owens.
Ronald was a 1952 Wilson High School graduate, a 1956 Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgy, and a 1971 Penn State graduate with a master's of business administration. While attending Penn State, Ron was a basketball letterman and chapter president of Alpha Chi Rho. He was a proud alumnus and made substantial contributions to the University. He was an ardent fan of all Penn State sports programs, a football season ticket holder for three decades and an avid PSU tailgater. Ron worked for Burnham Holdings for over two decades, retiring as chief financial officer and executive vice president of finance.
He was an active member of the Lancaster Rotary club and volunteered for Junior Achievement of Central PA. He served as a past president and board member of the Lancaster Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. He was a longtime member of Leola United Methodist Church where he served as a past treasurer.
Ron was an AFROTC cadet and proudly served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1960, including a year stationed at Thule AFB, Greenland.
He is survived by his children: Tamie L. Leahy, of Wilmington, Del.; Steven R. Griffith (Ann Chisholm) of Newark, Del.; Lauren G. Risser (Robert) of Lititz and two stepsons: David (Vanessa) and Nicholas Bubernak. Also surviving are nine grandchildren: Justin, Hope, Taylor, Alexandra, Zachary, Noah, Amelia, Tatiana and Natasha and a sister: Peg Gough, of Scottsboro, Ala.
A funeral service was held Sept. 3, 2013 at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, Lititz. Interment was in Pleasant View Cemetery, Sinking Springs.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ron's memory may be made to Junior Achievement of Central PA, 2420 Gehman Ln., Suite 100, Lancaster, PA 17602.