Dr. Louis Ringe

Dr. Louis Don Ringe, 87, passed away on September 24, 2018 at the Kittitas Valley Hospital following a brief illness. Memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at the First Lutheran Church, 512 N. Ruby in Ellensburg.

Don was born on November 16, 1930 in American Falls, ID. He attended American Falls High School and was a 3-sport athlete highlighted by his role as starting center on AFHS's State Championship basketball team in 1946. He graduated in 1948 with a full scholarship to play football at the University of Idaho. He as also a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and the Air Force ROTC. Don graduated in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in geology. Don married Ann Louise Luedke in Genesee, Idaho in 1953. Shortly thereafter he was deployed to serve in Korea as a commissioned officer in the Air Force. On return, he worked as a field geologist for several oil companies in Canada and Wyoming. Don received a Master's degree in Geology in 1957 from the University of Idaho and his Ph.D. in Geology from Washington State University in 1961. His teaching career began at Central Washington University (CWU) in 1961 and continued at Pacific Lutheran University in 1966. Don returned to CWU in 1968 as a professor of Geology and continued teaching there until his retirement in 1993.

Don had a lifelong love of outdoor activities, golf, traveling and family. His family fondly remembers numerous car trips with stops enroute at every roadcut for pictures of hanging valleys, reverse faults and pillow basalt.

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann, sons Mitch (Judy Marie), Brad (Cookie) and Pat (Allison). Grandchildren Brooke, Lauren, Tyler, Christopher and Andrea and 2 greatgrandchildren Vera and Juniper. Memorial contributions in Don's honor are suggested to Hospice Friends, 302 S. Main, Ellensburg, WA 98926 or online at www.hospice-friends.org Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with caring for Don's family. Online condolences may be left at www.steward-williams.com