Neil E. "Nick" Ringel

1937 - 2024

Neil E. "Nick" Ringel died peacefully on March 22nd after a life filled with family, friends, purpose, and achievement. He was 87 years old.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 14, 1937, Nick grew up in Shaker Heights, a Cleveland suburb. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1959, after which he served six months on active duty in the Army and seven years in the Army Reserves, earning the rank of captain.

He met the love of his life, Judy, when she was a junior in high school and he was a sophomore in college. They were married four years later, in 1960, and settled down in Shaker Heights-but not for long. In 1964 they uprooted themselves, along with their two-year-old daughter Betsy, and moved to Memphis so that Nick could manage a new plant built by his then-employer, Sandusky Metal Cabinets, Inc., in Millington.

Nick ran the Sandusky plant for 14 years as vice-president of the company. Meanwhile he renewed his acquaintance with Jerome Makowsky, a fraternity brother from Penn, and began investing with him in a few real estate ventures. It wasn't long before they went into business together, with Nick functioning as a silent partner until 1978, when he joined Jerome full-time. Makowsky and Ringel Inc. became one of the leading real estate development and management companies in the Memphis area. After 46 years of being close friends as well as business partners, it seems fitting that Nick's death occurred just two weeks after Jerome's. Today Makowsky Ringel Greenberg is run by second-generation members of their families.

An eternal optimist and super salesman, Nick greeted everyone he met with a firm handshake, a hearty laugh, and a kind heart. Fairness and integrity were his core values, and real estate was his passion. No matter what he was doing-driving his children to a playground, vacationing in Florida-he was always on the lookout for vacant land to develop and buildings to buy. He adored spending time with his grandchildren, especially in Pickwick, where they spent summer weekends playing in and around the lake, and later in Park City, Utah, where he was able to ski with his grandchildren (until they got too good!).

Nick loved mentoring and teaching. As a Penn graduate, he enjoyed interviewing candidates for admission to the University, and every year he looked forward to getting to know a new group of applicants. He also got a kick out of teaching a continuing education class in real estate at the University of Memphis. Energized by his interaction with his students, he often commented that he learned as much from them as they did from him.

Nick was a generous donor and prolific fundraiser for a wide range of community organizations. Nearest to his heart was Temple Israel, which he served as president and, later on, as co-chair of a highly successful capital and endowment campaign. He also served as president of the Memphis Jewish Foundation, and he was a vice-president of both Junior Achievement (where he taught a class in financial literacy) and the Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab Hospital. In addition, he was a board member of the Dixie Homes Boys' Club, the Fire Museum of Memphis, the New Ballet Ensemble, the Memphis Zoo, the Shelby County Board of Adjustment, and the Board of Governors of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati.

Nick was predeceased by his parents, Dorothy and Irving J. Ringel, and his sister, Marjorie Ringel. He is survived by his beloved wife Judy, to whom he was married for 63 years, and his three children and their spouses: Betsy Ringel Saslawsky (Andy) and Jimmy Ringel (Janice), both of Memphis; and Jonathan Ringel (Deb Weisshaar), of Dunwoody, Georgia. He also leaves seven grandchildren-Brad (Rebecca Hanai) and Brian Ringel; Joel (Stephanie), Erin, and Matthew Saslawsky; and Lucy and Marcy Ringel-and one great-grandchild, Sophie Saslawsky.

In addition, Nick leaves a team of dedicated caregivers-Sharon Banks, Robyn Boyd, Kesha Brown, Detra Ford, Rhonda Perry, Lisa Taylor, and Julia Wallace-who cared for him in his final years with extraordinary kindness and compassion.

Funeral services will be held at Temple Israel, 1376 East Massey Road, at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25, followed by burial at the Temple Israel cemetery. Canale Funeral Directors has charge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Temple Israel, the Alzheimer's Association, or a charity of the donor's choice.