Ringgenberg, Clayton

Clayton Ringgenberg died Friday, July 12, 2013, at Oaknoll Health Center in Iowa City, where he had received compassionate care for the last nine months. He died of complications from Alzheimer's disease. A memorial service to celebrate Clayton's life is scheduled for Saturday, July 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the church for one hour before the service. A luncheon will follow the service. Clayton's body was donated through the Deeded Body Program at the University of Iowa.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Clayton was born in Clear Lake, Iowa on Sept. 10, 1924, to Ralph and Hazel Ringgenberg. He grew up in Marshalltown and Newton, graduating from Newton High School in 1941. He spent his freshmen year at Cornell College in Mount Vernon and then enlisted in the Navy in 1943. He served on a Destroyer Escort in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1945, he returned to the University of Idaho to attend Officer School. During that fall he played for the University of Idaho football team. At the end of World War II he left the Navy and returned to Iowa. He graduated from Cornell College in 1948, with a B.A. degree in economics and business administration. During his time at Cornell he played both football and basketball. He received a master's degree in government management from the University of Denver in 1949.

He met his future wife, Helen A. Gustafson, at Cornell. They were married in Burlington, Iowa on July 24, 1948. They spent their early married years in Denver, Colo., Boston, Mass., and Providence, R.I. They had three children, Beth, Craig and Scott.

Clayton loved the state of Iowa and devoted most of his professional career working for the betterment of Iowa communities. He was the first director of the Iowa Legislative Research Bureau, co-director of the Iowa League of Municipalities, chief of Staff for Gov. Robert Ray and retired as director of the Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Iowa.

Clayton was active in many organizations. He served as a board member of Grand View University and National Travelers Life Co., Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation adviser, Iowa City Charter Commission, Iowa City Library Board and Foundation, Board of Control of Athletics at the University of Iowa, Visiting Nurses Association, Iowa 2000 Task Force as well as many roles at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.

Clayton retired from the university with a very long list of things he wanted to do. In his retirement, he realized a lifelong dream of working in an apple orchard. Thanks to the Belgum's and Wilson's for making that dream come true. He was an avid gardener. He took pride in being a volunteer football coach at his alma mater, Cornell, coaching during an undefeated season. Additionally he volunteered as a tutor at City High and Southeast Junior High. He continually practiced at improving his golf game at Fairview Golf Course.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Helen. They would have celebrated 65 years of marriage on July 24.

He is also survived by daughter, Beth (Judy Hoard) of Madison, Wis.; sons, Craig (Joyce) of Salt Lake City, Utah and Scott (Helen) of Duncanville, Texas; and grandchildren, Adam (Jessica), Daniel and Lisa Mellus. He is further survived by his brother, Ralph (Kak) Ringgenberg; sister-in-law, Nancy Ringgenberg; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Edith and John Fulkerson. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Pearl and Charles Sally, Maysele and Tony Dudek and Ardyce and Charles Sprague; brother, Lyle; as well as his mother- and father-in-law, Alice and Richard Gustafson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Pathways of Iowa City which provided adult day care for Clayton; the Alzheimer's Association or St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting Clayton's family.

Published July 20, 2013 in The Gazette