For 30 years, Ronald Nenner served as the City of Lakeland’s police chief, and through more than three decades of service, he was known as a police chief who worked to bring security for Lakeland, its business owners, and residents.
Nenner’s final call came Sunday. He died at 94 at the Lakeland home of his daughter, Wendy Adolphson, and son-in-law, Dr. Curits Adolphson of heart disease.
Nenner decided to become a police patrol officer with the Lakeland Police Department in 1960 at 30 years old, worked as a motorcycle patrol officer for 10 years, and then spent most of his career as an investigator. He was lieutenant of the Criminal Investigation Unit and, in 1982 appointed to captain of that division.
But although he retired from the Lakeland police force in 1990, his legacy as a law enforcement officer, police chief, and a Lakeland resident known for mentorship and respect will remain. He began as the LPD’s chief in April 1987.
Nenner was born to Bernard and Sophia Nenner in Long Island, New York, and was the grandson of a rabbi. After high school and two years in the U.S. Navy, Nenner married Joy Thomann, his wife of 65 years, and they moved to Florida after selling the dry-cleaning plant and stores. He graduated from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on protection of US government leaders.
Nenner had a daughter, Wendy Adolphson (husband, Dr. Curtis Adolphson) of Lakeland and Clearwater; a grandson, Alex Adolphson of Gainesville; a son, Stephen Nenner (Rosemary) of Kingston, Tennessee, and granddaughters Katherine and Christine of Tennessee. He also has a sister, Elissa Silverberg of New York, and nephews Jay and Roy Silverberg.
Services for Nenner are pending and will be announced.