Stanley Jack Ryckman, 94, a long time resident of Mansfield, died Thursday, June 21, 2018 at The Waterford at Mansfield following an extended illness.
Mr. Ryckman was born in Saginaw, Michigan on April 25, 1924 to the late Emerson W. and Ida M. (Wilson) Ryckman. He graduated from Midland High School and attended Michigan Technical University before joining the United States Navy in 1942, where he received his commission, and served in the Navy as an officer in the South Pacific during World War II.
Following World War II he returned to Michigan to complete his education and acquire a degree of BSEE from the University of Michigan, where he was also active in the University of Michigan Glee Club. He married Eleanor Ann Stewart of Midland, Michigan. The Ryckman’s moved to Mansfield, Ohio in 1949, where he worked as an electrical, application, and sales engineer for Hartman Electric, Ideal Electric, and Therm-O-Disc locally, as well as Robertshaw Controls and Seimens Energy for forty years, retiring in 1989.
Mr. Ryckman was active in Jaycees, Scouting, Mastersingers, Jr. Achievement, Lions Club, Toastmasters, AFS Intercultural Programs, AIEEE, the Symphony Guild, Mr. & Mrs. Club, The University Club, The Noon Lions Club, and was a member of Amvets Post #26. Mr. Ryckman had been a member of The First Congregational Church since 1949, where he sang in the choir for 57 years.
His hobbies included travel, bridge, music, reading, and photography. He visited over 60 foreign countries in addition to much of the United States. He loved sports, especially the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, and all things University of Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife of 54 years, the late Eleanor Stewart Ryckman.
He is survived by his second wife, Marjorie A. Ryckman; three children, Dr. Stanley G. Ryckman of Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Stewart D. Ryckman (Susan) of Mansfield, Ohio and Carol Ione Ryckman Frost (Thomas) of Palmyra, Virginia; a stepson, Brad Holtsberry of Mansfield, Ohio; brother-in-law, Graham T. Stewart of Nebo, North Carolina; six grandchildren, Jeremy Ryckman of Altamonte Springs, Florida, Dr. Michael Ryckman of Xenia, Ohio, Christopher Ryckman of Nashville, Tennessee, David Frost of Richmond, Virginia, Elizabeth Frost Smith of Moore, South Carolina, and Margaret Frost of Herndon, Virginia; nine great grandchildren; and his exchange student “son”, Aldo Brozzo of Argentina.
A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at The First Congregational Church of Mansfield at 2:00 p.m. Friends may call one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., at the church on Tuesday. Private burial will be held in Mansfield Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Mr. Ryckman’s memory be made to the Resurrecting Lives Foundation, 6724 Perimeter Loop Road, PMB #317, Dublin, Ohio 43017 (www.resurrectinglives.org).
The Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family of Mr. Stanley Jack Ryckman.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.wappner.com
