Hugh Arthur Ronalds
Lt. Col. Hugh “Hondo” Ronalds passed away at the age of 84 on March 1st, 2026, in the comfort of his home with his loving family by his side.
Hugh was born in Pen Argyl, PA in 1942, to William and Joyce Ronalds. He graduated from Pen Argyl High School in 1960 and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduation from the Naval Academy in 1966. He attended the Marine Corps Basic School and then the Army Artillery and Missile School before joining Bravo Co, Ist Bn, 5th Marines in Vietnam. Hugh participated in combat during Operations Union 1 and II, and then Swift and Hue City, May ’67-June ’68.
Hugh was selected to attend the Air Force’s flight training program and after completion of his Marine Corps jet training program, Hugh was designated a Naval Aviator in 1970. Hugh subsequently flew as a fighter pilot in Marine Corps F-4 fighter squadron VMFA 312 and VMFA 251 before being assigned as an advanced jet training flight instructor in the Naval Aviation Training Command. Hugh was subsequently selected to attend the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School and upon graduation he was assigned to return to Southeast Asia as a fighter pilot with VMFA 232 and conducting combat flight operations from Phom Pen, Thailand. Upon completion of his year Pacific tour of duty with the VMFA 232 “Red Devils”, Hugh returned to the U.S. to join VMFA 314 at MCAS El Toro. After nearly two decades of worldwide flight operations experience Hugh was assigned as the Naval Aviation representative to the FAA where he served until his retirement in 1988. After his retirement from the Marine Corps, Hugh joined Northwest Airlines and served as an aviation training supervisor until joining NASA in 1994.
Hugh was selected by NASA to assume a leadership position on the NASA International Space Station Program. In that leadership position, Hugh fulfilled a critical role in overseeing the coordination and integration of ISS Program participation by the European Space Agency, Japanese Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, and Russian Space Agency. During his leadership tenure in the ISS Program successfully completed the design, development, test, and evaluation phases of the ISS Program and leading to the subsequent multi launch phase and historic on orbit operation of the ISS for over two decades. It is also during Hugh’s exceptional service to the ISS Program that he was blessed by his marriage to his loving and most devoted wife Anna. In 2004 Hugh assumed a leadership position on the senior staff of the Johnson Space Center until his retirement from NASA in 2017.
Hugh is survived by his beloved and caring wife of 24 years, Anna. Anna’s loving care and selfless dedication to Hugh has ensured that he could be with us here on earth for so long. Second to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Hugh’s family was the most important part of his life, and he was blessed with three wonderful children Duncan Ronalds , Peter (Leslie) Ronalds, and Maureen (Joe) Santoli, six grandchildren Annabel, Charlotte, William, Lillian, Peter, and Hugh, and his beloved Bernese Mountain Dog Griffin, Olde English Sheepdog Bella and cat Kitten.
Hugh lived a full life, and he has touched the lives of so many and in so many ways. Hugh always had a friendly and contagious smile, an incredible sense of humor and a positive attitude even in the face of incredibly hard challenges, a strength that can only come from knowing our Lord Jesus.
The family will receive friends for the visitation at 11am to follow with a celebration of life at 12:00pm on Friday, March 13th, at Nassau Bay Baptist Church in Clear Lake, TX. Burial will be at the Naval Academy at a later date.
In lieu of flowers it is requested that memorial gifts be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation and the SPCA.
My deepest sympathy to Anna, his loving wife and his children and grandchildren. I attended grade school and senior high school graduating with Hugh in 1960. Hugh was truly an amazing individual and I am so proud to call him my friend for all these years. Hugh and Duncan would always be here for our class reunions. He will be truly missed, but I know he will be celebrating with our classmates that were waiting for him in heaven.
We will miss you.
To Duncan and Anna and all of Hugh’s family-On behalf of the PAHS Class of ’60, please accept our sincere condolences in the passing of our dear classmate and friend, Hugh. He will be missed by all of us.
Donna Houser Whitley
My deepest sympathy to Anna and Duncan and the rest of your family. Larry and I will miss you on the links. So proud of what you accomplished in life from little PenArgyl High school to NASA. Your dedication and bravery will never be forgotten. You were a true Patriot. Goodbye my friend and classmate RIP.
Our dear Ronalds family, Paul and I pray for your peace of heart knowing that your/our beloved Hughie is with the Lord and soaring in the endless skies of Heaven. Through our grief, we celebrate his love for God, family, friends and country.
There are so many memories of Hugh to share but one stands out as we celebrated his 50th Birthday at our house in Irvine, California. We picked him up in a limousine and took him out on the town, ending at our home where a righteous celebration ensued.
Forever we will miss his smile, his quick wit, his positive attitude and his incredibly generous spirit supporting everyone he loved.
Anna, Duncan, Peter, Maureen and family-we are always here for you and we pray you take solace in knowing his spirit will watch over you always
Hugh was one of my favorite human beings of all time…a USNA and Marine Basic School classmate, we were stationed in Beaufort, SC at the same time back in ’70 after he moved from artillery into aviation….even though we haven’t seen him often, we’ve stayed in touch over the years…it was so great seeing Hugh and Anna at our TBS reunion. Hugh is, and always has been, the personification of ‘good guy’, while being a very competent Marine and aviation professional. ..he will be sorely missed by many of us! I am very grateful to have been able to call him a friend.
To my fellow Marine, F-4 Phantom aviator, and NASA colleague: My family is far richer for having known you, Hugh Ronalds, and for having had the honor of your friendship. Your courage, perseverance, and forbearance is to be admired in every way. To Anna and Duncan, we are here for you. Semper Fidelis.
Shalom! My sincere condolences to you all – Anna, Duncan, Peter, Maureen and family- you all are in my thoughts, my heart, and my prayers without ceasing. I am always here for you when you have need! Hugh truly was a great friend, a brother of the faith, and a fellow Marine Corps comrade whom I shall always cherish (Proverbs17:17). His presence edified me and lifted me up, and emboldened me, strengthened me, and encouraged me in this season of my life journey; and I shall forever be grateful and beholding. During our monthly luncheons (since meeting in September 2013) he was always a glow as he joyfully boasted about you all – Anna, Duncan, Peter, Maureen, and of course the “Pups” – and all your endeavors and achievements. You all were his Crown of Glory! I shall always cherish our gatherings periodically throughout the years, Thanksgiving and Passover Celebrations. Now my beloved friend, brother of the Faith, and fellow Marine Corps comrade, may you enter into the Rest, Peace, Joy, and Healing of our Lord God Most High YHVH and our Savior Messiah Yahshua the Righteous One. “May the Lord God Most High lift up His Face toward you, and Bless you and give you His Peace. For, at your right is the angel Micha’el. At your left is the angel Gavri’el. At your front is the angel Uri’el. Behind you is the angel Rapha’el. And above you my beloved friend and faithful servant is the Sh’khinat El, the Loving Presence of the Lord our God Most High YHVH and our Messiah Yahshua the Righteous One! So, be bold, be strong, be of good courage, do not fear or fret, or be saddened, for your Lord God Most High YHVH is with you wherever you may journey!” Hugh, you have fought the Good Fight, you have finished the Good Race and Tasks that have been set before you, and you have contended for and kept the Good Faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Now, my friend, let the Lord our Most High God YHVH proclaim: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the Joy of the Lord.” Thank you for being a joyful part of my life journey! Semper fi.
Larry R Gilmore (USMC-Recon 1969-1975), and “Lucky” (Veteran Service ‘Pup’)
Dear Maureen, Peter and Ronalds family,
My sincere condolences to everyone upon the loss of your father, husband, and grandfather. Thank you for your service Hugh🇺🇸
Your Father was so admired and your grandparents beamed with pride whenever his name was mentioned. My prayers alwsys
All of us in the Brinkley family send our love and heartfelt condolences to all of Hugh’s loving family. We have been so blessed by our time with Hugh and all of you dear family members over these past many years. We pray that the heartache that we all are enduring will soon transition to loving thoughts of Hugh and the time that we had with him here on earth. Our loving Hugh is with his Lord and Savior now and watching over his loving family and friends. God bless you all. Randy
We were deeply saddened to learn of Hugh’s passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences and know that we are thinking of Anna, Duncan, Peter, Maureen and family during this difficult time.
Hugh was one of those rare individuals whose presence made every place he served better. As a fellow Marine aviator, I always admired the quiet professionalism and steady confidence he carried with him from his days flying the F-4 Phantom. Hugh’s career in the Marine Corps and later work reflected the dedication and courage that defined him throughout his life.
My memories of Hugh go far beyond our shared background in Marine aviation. Living as neighbors in Nassau Bay, Texas and working together on the International Space Station Program at Johnson Space Center, I came to know him not only as a colleague but as a truly good man. Hugh had that rare combination of competence, humility, and humor that made him someone you were always glad to see in the room.
One memory that will always stay with me is enduring Tropical Storm Frances together in September 1998. It was one of those moments when circumstances were a bit miserable, but Hugh’s steady outlook and good nature made the experience unforgettable. That was Hugh—calm in the storm and always ready with a reassuring word.
Hugh lived a life of service—to his country, to his colleagues, and most importantly to his family. He will be remembered not only for what he accomplished, but for the kind, honorable man he was.
Please know that Hugh will not be forgotten. It was a privilege to know him and to call him a friend.
With deepest sympathy, Dave and Mary Beth Lengyel
On behalf of my father, BGen Jim Mead, and the entire Mead family, I would like to extend our condolences to the Ronalds family upon the loss of their beloved Hugh. Our nation is rapidly losing the exceptional Marines of the Vietnam generation, among whom Hugh was numbered. As his commanding officer, my father greatly admired his service as a pilot in the Red Devils, and at MAG-31. Hugh was part of the MAG-31 inner circle during a focused period of tactical excellence. His combat experience in Vietnam helped sharpen that focus. After leaving the Marine Corps, Hugh once again admirably served this nation at NASA. He leaves a legacy of committed service to his family, friends, Marine Corps, and nation. Men like Hugh asked for so little and gave so very much…he will be greatly missed. The prayers of the Mead family are with you during this time of sorrow. May you all experience Christ’s Peace, with the sure knowledge that you will be with Hugh in heaven someday.
Flying with Hondo always resulted in a Pilot/RIO Mind Meld…An Absolute Pleasure!
Firmly believe Hugh has gone to a Far Better Place than we have ever known. We will see him again…if we behave ourselves, Marines. Truly a Life to be Fondly Remembered and Celebrated. God Love Him and Keep Him, Chuck & Jean Hoelle
Hugh Ronalds was the kind of man our founding fathers had in mind when they declared independence and established our great nation. An outstanding citizen and Marine officer, he was morally, mentally and physically strong; self-starting; patriotic and active in support and defense of the Idea of America and the nation which guards it. Having served together in VMFA 232 and MAG 15 we got to know each other well developing a friendship that has remained strong over the past half century. He was a great friend who set a wonderful example and always looked after others. My heart goes out to Anna, Duncan, Maureen and Peter with a prayer for courage, strength, resilience, patience and endurance as you begin your grief journey. May God guide you to the wisdom that enables understanding and, ultimately, to peace in your hearts. Thank you for sharing “Hondo” with us. He made everyone’s life better! Semper Fidelis, Dave Richwine
My sincere condolences to Anna and family on the passing of Hugh. He was one of the good guys. We graduated in 1960 from Pen Argyl and I am glad to say we were still friends. He will be missed but not forgotten. R I P my friend 🇺🇸
Hondo had an extraordinary influence in teaching me the responsibilities of leadership. As an Air Force officer assigned to the Black Knoghts, his mentorship assugned me a vector that, I believe, aided my career successes. I will always remember his happy smile!