John Walter Ring, 91, of Falcon Heights, died March 8, 2017.
John was born and raised in Faribault with 10 brothers and sisters. He went into the army directly after high school graduation and was deployed to Belgium, where he was seriously wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. His long recovery took him to England, then to a hospital in Iowa. There he met his match, the lovely young nurse, Loretta Jane Yourd.
John went to college on the G.I. Bill to become a science teacher, graduating from Macalester College in 1951. His was a life full of joy and had many friends. Some highlights: He was a high school science teacher for 38 years (mostly in St. Paul), sponsored women’s hockey teams and made incredible cinnamon rolls.
He believed in giving back to the community. He coordinated Odyssey of the Mind/Destination ImagiNation for more than 30 years. He led his Scout troop in making fiberglass canoes—don’t try to lift one! Quietly, he helped many kids go to college.
John was active in professional associations, got his doctorate, was crazy about mountains and was a great bridge player. John built two lake cottages.
He traveled to China, Australia and Alaska and loved family gatherings, especially with pie. He could fix or build darn near anything—i.e., that dubious cement mixer from a trashcan and a washing machine motor. John was a great neighbor and a Johnny Cash fan. It was impossible to go out to dinner with him in the St. Paul area without former students coming up to greet “Doc Ring!”
He loved Macalester College, taught there a year or so and was a persistently active alumnus. His family celebrates him and the way he lived his life.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Jane, in 2015. He is survived by his son and daughter, Steven Ring (Molly Redmond) and Sue Ring-Jarvi (Roland); two grandsons; one brother, James (Maren); and a sister, Hazel Voss.
A memorial service was held at the Macalester College Weyerhauser Chapel on March 26.
