Ronald Shinbori
d. June 23, 2014
Ronald Tomio Shinbori, 75, of Bettendorf died on June 23, 2014 at his home. He was born in Yuba City, California on November 16, 1938, the son of Ernest Toshio Shinbori & Jeanette Haruko (Nakagawa).
During WWII his family was interned at Amache War Relocation Camp in Granada, Colorado. Dr. Syverud sponsored the family to relocate to Bettendorf where they made their home for the rest of their lives. Ron graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in chemical engineering. During the Vietnam War he served in the U.S. Army.
Ron was working at the Rock Island Arsenal at the Rodman Lab when he met Roberta “Berta” Pacha. She proposed marriage to him and they spent the next 40 years of their lives loving each other and building a life together which includes their two sons; Jonathan Toshio & companion, Becky Bernard; Timothy Tomio & daughter-in-law Susan, their daughters Katerina Kyoko and Malia Akina; daughter Jennifer Taniko & son-in-law Joseph Giordano, their children Stella Yoko and Rocco Haru. Ron enjoyed his involvement in Boy Scouts and seeing both sons attain the rank of Eagle Scout. He also coached soccer with Roberta and was proud to see Jennifer chosen 1 st Team Regional All-American in college.
His grandchildren were his greatest joy, baking them novelty birthday cakes and babysitting Katerina and Malia from infancy until they attended kindergarten. Ron loved to cook and do outdoor work. There wasn’t anything Ron couldn’t fix or make. He was a kind, thoughtful, unique man who was happiest with his family and home life, especially his grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory include his friend and wife of 40 years, Roberta, and their children and grandchildren; brother Ray (Barb) Shinbori; sister Lynne (LeRoy) Witcraft; aunt Chiyo Nakagawa; numerous nephews and nieces; Roberta’s 10 siblings and their spouses; their extended family: Pat & Lyne Miletich’s family, Jim Risher, and Cyril Onewokae; special cousins Scott (Kathy) and Pat (Kevin Howard) Stanton; godsons Ben Pacha and Ben Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents; Uncle Jim & Aunt Mary Shinbori; niece Kristina Witcraft; brothers-in-law Mike & Joe Pacha; sister-in-law Florence Pacha; many aunts and uncles of the Nakagawa family.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Friday, June 27, at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. A luncheon will immediately follow burial services at Brix, 425 – 15 th Street, Moline, IL. Memorials may be made to the family to benefit Ron’s grandchildren’s educations.