By CJ Ringler
John D. Ringler (born June 13,1935 in Friday Harbor, WA) passed away in early afternoon on Aug. 17, 2021 in a Bothell care facility where he spent his last six months. Having both osteoporosis and dementia, he was in a group home for about a year and a half until a series of falls resulting in spinal fractures sent him to a rehabilitation center.
John was a Certified Public Accountant with an MBA from University of Washington and an undergraduate degree in Dairy Science from Washington State University. He grew up on a dairy farm in Friday Harbor, WA and was drafted into the Army after receiving his first college degree. He leaves behind two children from his first marriage – John David Ringler of Henderson, Nevada, and Danielle L. Ringler McKee of Wenatchee – and stepson, Charles W. Begg of Woodinville.
I will miss him terribly after 42 years of marriage. I cared for him at home as long as I could and ultimately had to turn over his care to his daughter. We are grateful that he is no longer in pain. He will be missed by many at WUUC (Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church) having spent hundreds of volunteer hours with the construction of the church while also serving on various committees there.
John’s circle of hiking friends, along with a number of WUUC church members will remember him as a quiet, gentle man with great respect for the INHERENT WORTH & DIGNITY of all people and an enduring love for animals and nature. (He once chased a coyote through our neighborhood to rescue a neighbor’s kitten, making a little girl very happy for ‘saven (sic) my cat’ as she wrote in a note accompanied by a small clutch of dandelions.)
In summer of 2002 John made a valiant attempt to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier with a group of mountaineers, led by the Whitaker brothers, in support of the American Lung Association. He subsequently made it to the summit of Mt. Adams in 2004 with his group of friends calling themselves the “Hiker Babes” (who dubbed him their “Hiker Hunk.”) Several of the Babes’ husbands would join them on weekend hikes. They had a tradition of celebrating birthdays by carrying a birthday pie to share at their destination!
Rest in Peace, my “HERO!” Most of our 42 years were truly wonderful! The other few were beyond our control!
John, you are in my heart forever.
~ Connie “CJ” Ringler
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In addition, John Ringler’s knowledge and assistance was pivotal in starting the non-profit organization called Redmond Association of Spokenword, which has continued to hold readings, contests, classes, groups, and much more for people of all ages FOR 25 YEARS!