Ronald Diefenbacher Obituary

Ronald Bruce Diefenbacher, born in northern California in 1946,

passed away on March 7, 2026 in his Colorado home with family

nearby. He was 79 years old.

Ron started his first career in environmental education in northern

California and worked at several outdoor education centers

during the 1970s. In his early 30s, Ron decided to pursue a

lifelong interest in woodworking and moved across the country

with his wife Lori to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania

where he completed a masters degree in furniture design. After

graduation, the couple settled in St. Louis, Missouri and for 30

years Ron made beautiful, handcrafted furniture for private

clients and interior designers. By day, he loved working in the

shop he built and at night, he taught others his craft at various

universities. His backyard studio allowed him to be close to his

family and always available to his two daughters, Rachel and

Erika. Later, Ron started an online business selling fine

woodworking tools, Diefenbacher Tools, which is still operated by

his daughter Rachel. The couple moved to Colorado in 2014 to

be with their children and grandchildren.

Ron is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lori Hyman

Diefenbacher; his daughters Rachel Diefenbacher and Erika

Mathews (Brian Erickson); two beloved grandchildren, Aaron and

Riley; his brother Gary (Beverly) Diefenbacher; his two nieces,

Kristin (Venkat) Memula and Kaari (Tau) Gerber, and his great

nieces and nephew Vijay, Meera, Anna and Mina. A long list of

loving relatives and friends will dearly miss their in-law, uncle,

cousin, and cherished buddy.

Ashes will be dispersed in Colorado, California, and Missouri.

Donations may kindly go to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for

Parkinson's Research.