Ronnie Tobin
Dates
December 6, 1947 - December 31, 2025Obituary
Ronnie Lee Tobin (RT), 78, of Plankinton, South Dakota, passed away peacefully at his home on December 31, 2025, surrounded by his family. No funeral services will be held at this time. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Ron was born on December 6, 1947, in Mitchell, South Dakota, to Clinton (Darwin) and Eileen Tobin. He passed having truly lived a full and meaningful life.
Ron grew up on a farm in rural Wessington Springs and attended Lane School- graduating in 1966. In 1967, he proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where he became an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist. He was then stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico. He later worked at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Resort at Conchas Dam, New Mexico. On October 31, 1968, Ron was deployed to Bien Hoa Air Force Base in South Vietnam as a crew chief on F-100 Super Sabre Fighter Jets of the 531st Fighter Squadron. In October 1969, he was stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, and later served at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, and Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado.
Ron married Rosemary Larson on June 13, 1970, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Plankinton. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in April of 1971. They purchased a farm north of Plankinton, where they raised their family.
On April 1, 1978, they purchased the Plank Inn, which became not just a business, but a gathering place filled with stories, laughter, and community. Ron spent his life farming, ranching, and operating the Plank Inn. He later married Sandy Fetters-Palmer of Marion, Illinois, on February 14, 1992, and together they continued running the Plank Inn until July of 2015. Ron continued farming and ranching for many years afterward with the help of his sons and grandsons.
Ron had a deep interest in genealogy and traveled to Ireland and Canada to trace his family roots and connect with living relatives. In the past five years, he rediscovered his love for horses, something that brought him great joy. A good day for Ron included watching baseball—especially the New York Yankees—and classic westerns.
Ron was a hard worker, a natural storyteller, and someone who always had a new joke or tale ready to share. He loved a good laugh, had a nickname for just about everyone and could make friends wherever he went. His life was filled with adventure, service, family, and laughter.
Ron is survived by his wife, Sandy of Plankinton, and children: Sheldon (Carrie) Tobin of Plankinton, Cory (Shannon) Tobin of Plankinton, and Stacy (Scott) Giblin of Mitchell; his stepson, Darris (Marri) Palmer of Chicago, Illinois; and stepdaughter, Melanie (Lance) Keizer of Stickney. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include his sister, Sherry Staller of Plankinton, and his brothers, Perry Tobin of Wessington Springs and Rick (Debbie) Tobin of Woonsocket, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bert and Lillian Tobin of Ethan and Peter and Darlene Thompson of Storla; his parents, Clinton (Darwin) and Eileen Tobin; his granddaughter, Shandra Tobin; and his brother-in-law, Joe Staller of Plankinton.
He had a hell of a ride - he lived a full life and he died fine.
RIP old friend.
Over the last two years, I’ve spoken with him on the phone on several occasion and he’s told me many stories about his and Mary’s dating escapades! I learned things about my sister. I didn’t know. All good! I’m sorry Ronnie suffered, but he certainly didn’t let on. I always admired him for being able to talk about his health issues and not turning them into a pity party. Ronnie, you were the man! Rest in peace, my friend!
Rest in peace.
But met my match with Tob! We talked often on the ph
Repeating the same conversation from a few days before.
Lots of good memories from the Plank Inn, after horse sale
Crowd loved Ronnie’s rib eye, they ordered 12oz, he would
Give them 16oz for the price! Yes he love the Yankees,
Horses and friends and family .he would call. Ask you busy.
Hour later we. Were were still talking. He was a good friend,that will be missed by many,
With the deepest sympathy, To all his family, God Bless!
Marv Jira and family
I will forever be grateful for the Sunday afternoon “crop tour” across Aurora country and last minute drop in visit to RT. Ron Tobin was my kind of guy, rough around the edges with an infectious belly laugh that you couldn’t help but love. He told stories of “Nam” and stepping off the plane in good ole Grand Forks ND. (I have repeated that story no less than 100 times in the last year). He gave words of wisdom that could have only been learned and accrued by years of serving drinks in the Plank Inn. I thoroughly enjoyed the “6 degrees of separation” conversation, the who do you know that I know talk that always led back to a good horse guy. We could go on and on with a good RT story but the main take away is this…
1.They don’t make em like that anymore,
2.His memory will last forever if you keep telling those amazing stories.
3.He’s living the good life now on the back of a good cutting horse in knee high grass, soaking up the sunshine. (Heaven on a horse on the wide open plains of SD)
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to you and pray for peace and comfort for everyone.
Hugs to all Mary & Larry Crane