Ronnie Lee "RT" Tobin

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.