Ron Gingerich, 86, passed away on May 13, 2026, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born August 31, 1939, in Partridge, the son of Joe Gingerich and Katie Miller Gingerich.

Ron graduated from Partridge High School and Hutchinson Junior College. He attended DePaul University and Kansas State University. Ron was President of Real Estate and Investment Brokers, Inc. (REIB, Inc.) He was active in the real estate auction appraisal business for over 55 years. In addition, Ron was past president of the Hutchinson Board of Realtors and the Kansas Auctioneers Association. He was also a member of the Kansas Auctioneers Hall of Fame and received the Realtor Emeritus Award.

Ron was a United States Navy Vietnam Veteran and went on the Kansas Military Honor Flight.

His parents played a significant role in shaping his values, encouraging hard work, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Ron was a member of the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #982, and Hutchinson Coin Cub.

On Friday the 13th, 1987, he married the love of his life, Virginia “Jenny” (Hornick) Rabenold.

Ron is survived by: his wife of over 39 years, Jenny Gingerich; brother, Ralph “Doc” Gingerich (Teddy); daughters, Robin Gingerich, Holly Gingerich, Kim Ortega, Buffy Geiger (Jason), Maggie Zamora (Tim); son, Aaron Gingerich (Kalisha); 11 grandchildren, Tyler Nelson (Jessica), Nick Nelson (Taylor), Darian Nelson, Dillon Cotter, Chase Smith, Elena Zamora, Jaxon and Amara Gingerich, Maizie Noble, Whitney Wilson and Manny Ortega; and five great-grandchildren, Quinton and Sawyer Rose Nelson, Zaylah and Evelyn Noble, and Oliver Wilson.

Ron was preceded in death by: his parents; stepfather, Ken Crow; and nephew, who was like a son, Ramon Webster.

Sports played a big part in Ron’s life. He was fortunate to have been on a state high school basketball team and the 1958 Hutchinson Junior College basketball team that won third in the nation. Baseball was Ron’s favorite sport. He was invited to a Kansas City Athletics Tryout Camp (which later turned to be the Royals). In the Navy Ron won a base tennis championship. In addition, growing up, he played the trumpet in several bands.

Ron was a supporter of Hutchinson Community College, and a fan of the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. Ron and Jenny enjoyed traveling and had a wide appreciation of music from country, pop, and jazz to rock and blues, and attended many concerts. But above all, Ron’s greatest love was for his family.

Celebration of Life Service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Elliott Chapel. Inurnment will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, and 9:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice House, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.