Ronald David Mahoney

Ronald David Mahoney, 91, died peacefully at his home in San Diego, CA on January 8, 2026, surrounded by family. Born in Grand Meadow, MN, he was the son of Dennis and Hazel Mahoney.

After attending Grand Meadow schools with his brother Farrell and sister Irene, Ron enrolled at Winona State Teachers’ College to play football and study electronics.

He left college to join the U.S. Army in 1954 and was stationed for two years in Germany, assigned to radio communications and military police units. Returning to Minneapolis, Ron resumed his studies at Northwestern Electronics Institute, before transferring to the University of Minnesota where he completed his undergraduate education and worked at the university radio station KUOM.

Before graduating, Ron met Kay Nelson who was earning her nursing degree at Hamline University in St. Paul. They married in 1958. Kay remembers it was 30-degrees below zero in Minneapolis the day that Ron was recruited to be a teacher in the San Diego Unified School District. He hastily accepted the offer, and they moved west.

He received a master’s degree in education at San Diego State University and for 35 years at Hoover High School, San Diego High School, and Scripps Ranch High School, Ron taught electronics, TV production, and technology classes. He designed modules in physics, computer-aided drafting, and robotics. Mr. Mahoney mentored numerous students who went on to careers in engineering, aerospace, broadcasting, and other high-tech fields.

Ron also worked as a radio/TV engineer at the KFMB stations for 15 years and participated in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program with the San Diego Police and San Diego Harbor Police departments for 17 years.

Deeply devoted to his wife and family, Ron demonstrated a strong work ethic and constant positive outlook. He stepped up as a father figure for his grandchildren. 

Sharing his fascination with the wonders of nature, he took his family on camping trips across the Western U.S. and Baja California. They went hiking, skiing, dirt biking, and panning for gold. Their cherished memories include boating on the Pacific Ocean, salmon fishing on the Klamath River, and camping out at South Lake Tahoe.

A man of utmost integrity and faith, Ron made a habit of giving back to others and was empathetic to those he encountered. He valued simplicity, shunned extravagance, and was a champion for higher education.

His first nickname was “Moe.” His grandchildren called him “PA” and ham radio friends knew him by the handle “Shamrock” – a nod to his Irish heritage. His family also called him “MacGyver” for the ability to fix anything that needed repairs. Ron invented an enhanced paint roller, shock absorbers for off-road vehicles, and an optical instrument to measure peripheral vision. A favorite pastime was tinkering in his garage with tools for silversmithing and etching glass bottles. He was the neighborhood dad who welcomed kids on the block to share the fun, the toys, the learning.

Active in his faith community, Ron was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church for more than six decades. He volunteered in the church’s first food pantry program in Allied Gardens and helped to serve meals for the needy in downtown San Diego.

Ron is survived by his wife Kay, daughter Laurie Ann and husband Roy, son Mark, five grandchildren - Brittany and husband David, Garrett, Madeline, Kaitlyn, Keira, and two great-grandchildren - Makayla and Luke.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Ascension Lutheran Church, 5106 Zion Avenue, San Diego. A private interment ceremony will be held at Miramar National Cemetery.