Don Ryckman – School Administrator

Don Ryckman passed quietly in his sleep at home on November 7,
2002. Raised by missionary parents in Paraguay, Don attended a
boarding school in Brazil and graduated from Los Angeles Pacific
College in 1952. He moved to Sonoma County from Manhattan Beach,
California in 1990 and was hired to interview and hire school
teachers. He later became a principal and superintendent in several
small school districts in the county including the Geyserville and
Healdsburg districts. Don was always active in the community. He
was the past president of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce,
Board President of Music for Schools and most recently, he ran for
the Windsor Unified School District Board. He was a member of
Bethel Baptist Church in Santa Rosa where he served as Business
Manager of the church. Don’s first love was music. He played in
various bands. Don is survived by his wife of 23 years, Rosemary,
daughter Teri Wensits and her two children, Chelsea and Kimberly,
of Washington State, daughter-in-law Sally Ryckman and her two
children Samantha and Russell Jr. of Los Angeles. Don’s son, Rusty,
preceded him in death in 1998. He also leaves Rosemary’s children,
Susan Heisey (Dana) of Colorado, Steve Herrin (Sheila) of Cotati,
Dave Herrin (Gretchen) and daughter Carli Thomas of Healdsburg, and
Chris Herrin. Don leaves behind a community of friends and will be
missed by all. A celebration of his life was held at Bethel Baptist
Church, 1577 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa on Saturday, November 16,
at 2 p.m. A private interment will be held in Southern California.
Donations can be made to the American Heart Association.