John Edward Ringle

On Friday, January 18, 2019, John Edward Ringle, 86, of Ruckersville, Virginia, died as a result of an automobile accident. Son of the late Verlin E. and Ruth A. Ringle, John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara Ringle; two brothers, David Ringle (Gloria) of Phoenix, Arizona and Daniel Ringle (Linda) of Torrington, Wyoming; one sister, Judith Miller (David) of Erie, Colorado; one foster brother, Greg Livingstone (Sally) of Altadena, California; daughter Patricia Vandever of Charlottesville, Virginia; son David Ringle (Janet) of Richmond, Virginia; grandchildren Justin Vandever (Allison) of San Francisco, California; Jason Vandever (Faith) of Charlottesville, Virginia; Deborah Williams (Devin) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Rebecca Ringle of Spotsylvania, Virginia, and Andrew Ringle of Fredericksburg, Virginia; great grandchildren Ethan, Emma, Jackson, and Julian; beloved nieces and nephews, and a special sister-in-law Betty Ann Robertson of Henrico, Virginia.

John was born on March 28, 1932 in Pittsburg, Kansas and grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Aspen, Colorado. His family owned the Aspen Times and John graduated from Aspen High School. He attended Harvard University and University of Colorado-Boulder and earned his master’s degree in science from American University. John and Barbara met on a blind date and were married three months later. He served in the U.S. Army for two years. For the majority of his career, John was an editor for Science Magazine, part of the American Association for the Advancement in Science in Washington, D.C. John and Barbara raised their family in Springfield, Virginia, and after John and Barbara retired they moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where they lived for 20 years before moving to Ruckersville 12 years ago.

With the mind of a scientist and historian and the heart of a social activist and humanitarian, John was a member of the choir at every church he attended: Fairfax Baptist, Kitty Hawk United Methodist, and Stanardsville United Methodist. He had a passion for music, especially gospel and country, Civil War history, geology, football and basketball, reading, fishing, and travel. Some of his favorite destinations were the Western United States, Iceland, the Outer Banks, and the Normandy beaches. John instilled in his children a strong work ethic, and encouraged the pursuit of education, a zeal for planning trips, and a progressive political philosophy that embraced tolerance and inclusion. He successfully blended the rational and the spiritual, and his underlying devotion to family and community was at the heart of every decision.

The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 P.M. Sunday, January 27, 2019 at Ryan Funeral Home, 12819 Spotswood Trail Ruckersville, Virginia.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 28, 2019 at Stanardsville United Methodist Church, 25 Court St. Stanardsville, Virginia. Lunch to follow at the church.

Donations can be made in John’s honor to the music program at Stanardsville United Methodist Church at 25 Court St., P.O. Box 740, Stanardsville, VA 22973; GRACE (Greene Alliance of Church and Community Efforts) at P.O. Box 513., Stanardsville, VA 22973; or YDC (Youth Development Council of Greene County) at P.O. Box 1162, Stanardsville, VA 22973.

An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com

Ryan Funeral Home of Ruckersville is in charge of arrangements.