IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Richard Henry
Ribbe
May 28, 1931 – June 13, 2015
Obituary
Richard Henry Ribbe
May 28, 1931 – June 13, 2015
Richard was born in Paterson, New Jersey to Henry J. Ribbe and Matilda Ribbe.
The family moved to Florida in 1943 where Richard was an avid Boy Scout and earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1947. After graduating from Lakeland High School he joined the U. S. Navy to begin a career in electronics. While in electronics school he took competitive examinations and won an appointment to The Naval Academy. After graduation he served in the Supply Corp on ships and on shore duty. While serving as Disbursing Officer at Whiting Field in Milton, Florida, he met his wife, Helen Dunn Ribbe.
When he was twelve years old he wrote in his autobiography that he wanted to be an electrical engineer so he left the Navy to pursue an electrical engineering degree at the University of Florida. From there he began a noteworthy thirty year career at Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) where he designed guidance systems for missiles and NASA's Apollo spacecraft.
After his retirement he enjoyed several years of travel in a variety of RV's and especially enjoyed spending summers in the mountains of North Carolina. He loved square dancing and sought venues to dance as he traveled through the U. S. and Canada. Richard loved trains and through the years sought to replicate the trains of his hometown of Lakeland as he remembered them as he grew up. He was a member of the Atlantic Coast Line & Seaboard Air Line Railroads Historical Society and enjoyed attending conferences and field trips.
Richard was a founding member of Lake Sherwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Orlando and served as Deacon, Elder, Sunday School Teacher, and Chairman of the Building Committee. After retiring to Clermont, he enjoyed the fellowship of New Life Presbyterian Church.
Although he had many interests, his family was his greatest joy. He enjoyed spending time outdoors with his children and grandchildren and also enjoyed many family game nights.
He is survived by this wife, Helen and his three sons, Phillip (Toni), Steve (Deborah), and David (Monica). His two grandchildren, Jorge and Nichole were a source of great joy. He is also survived by his sister, Diane Powers (Tom) of San Antonio, Texas and his brother, Roger Ribbe of Staunton, Virginia.
He will be remembered as a man of integrity and honor by all who knew him.
Arrangements are:
A Celebration of Richard's life will be held at 2PM Thursday, June 18, 2015 at New Life Presbyterian Church, 18237 E. Apshawa Rd., Minneola, FL 34715. The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorials in Richard's name to the church.
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