Arthur Charles Runkle

10/05/1948- 12/29/2025

Our beloved Dad, Grandfather (Pepa) , brother and friend passed from this earthly world on December 29, 2025.

Born Arthur Charles Runkle on October 5, 1948 to Arthur and Joan (Reese) Runkle in Pottsville , Pennsylvania. Art (as many friends called him ) spent his early years in Pennsylvania and Maryland before moving to Connecticut with his parents as a teenager. It was here that he met the love of his life, Linda Murray Runkle, his wife of 57 years who predeceased him in March, 2025.

Art and Linda had four daughters who loved them very deeply, Melissa (Robert) Johnson, Sheila (Thomas) Daigle, Connie Runkle, and Tracy Runkle-Ford who they treasured. Art also leaves behind 9 grandchildren, Samantha Berthod, Robert Johnson Jr., Deidra Berthod, Vicki Daigle, Devin Ford, Thomas Daigle Jr., Alyssa Maine, Tonya Lawton and William Anderson III. 

A special thank you to their grandchildren Samantha and Devin who have been an immeasurable help for both their grandparents. He also leaves behind 4 great grandchildren, or “greats” as they called them; Callie, Scarlette, Grayson and Brady , with another due in April.

Art is also survived by siblings - sister Sherry ,brothers-Jack (Betsy) and Scott (Tina) and he enjoyed many nieces and nephews throughout the years. He was predeceased by a brother Kerry Runkle.

As a newlywed couple beginning their lives together, Art and Linda welcomed their first daughter Melissa at an army base in Anchorage, Alaska. They moved back to Connecticut and over the next four years Sheila, Connie and Tracy came along to complete their family.

Back in Connecticut Art enjoyed an over 40 year career at General Dynamics Electric Boat as a welder ,a career that enabled he and Linda to enjoy many wonderful adventures in Hawaii and Washington among others as a part of his work.

When asked about his younger years, we were told that he was a tough guy with a soft spot for animals and children , and we probably didn’t hear much about it because his happiest years were with Linda and his children . In his young adult years Art was an avid bowler and spent much of his free time at the Norwich Ten Pin bowling alley.

In his later years he enjoyed watching the birds and wildlife off the deck while visiting with his family and was a quiet , steady , constant source of support for all who knew and loved him.

As we say goodbye to Art, let us all remember the compassion and support we received from him and show our loved ones the same compassion and support that he showed to us ❤️