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John Ribar Obituary
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean; his children, John (Judy), David (Susan), Richard (Susan), Don (Tracee), and Susan Loveland (Mike); eight grandchildren, Rachel, Beth, Erin, Matt, Thomas, Carly, Zoe and Max; and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was born June 19, 1928 in Wilmerding, PA and was an alumni of the University of Pittsburgh. He served a tour as an Air Force second lieutenant in the Korean War and hiked Mt. Fuji before accepting a sales position with Standard Register in North Carolina. He moved to Louisville in 1959 where he later started a successful family-owned printing company, Bluegrass Business Forms, in 1972.
A founding member of Mother of Good Counsel Parish, he prayerfully served for more than forty years. Most recently he belonged to St. Margaret-Mary Catholic Church.
John began service to the BSA in 1960. He was a cubmaster and scoutmaster, and then held positions at the District, Council and Regional levels. John was a recipient of many Scouting awards, including the Silver Antelope, the Silver Saint George, and the Golden Ad Altare Dei. He was proud of all those he helped to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, including his four sons and two of his grandsons. His daughter married an Eagle Scout.
In 1995 John represented the BSA on a trip to Siberia. He was a leader and course instructor at Philmont, and attended five National Jamborees. John formerly chaired the Louisville Catholic Committee on Scouting and organized many popular Flaget Trail camp-outs. He was a vice chair of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, and was awarded the prestigious Brother Barnabas Founders Award in 2008.
John belonged to the Kiwanis for many years. He assisted the Trinity High School Foundation and donated time and support to many other charities. He was a devoted gardener and sports fan. His sense of humor was renowned.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Margaret-Mary, 7813 Shelbyville Rd., followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may visit from 2-8 p.m. Friday at Pearson- Ratterman Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Road.
Memorials may be made to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015; The Lincoln Heritage Council, P.O. Box 36273, Louisville KY 40233, or another charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Ribar
Troop 308 Court of Honor with Mr. Ribar in '66
Bub Ronnau
October 31, 2009
Mr. Ribar was the best Scoutmaster anyone could want and a great family friend. I went to Philmont with Mr. Ribar in '67 and he was a BLAST! The entire Ribar family is a model molded by John and Jean. He talked me into taking a bath in a tub of water in a field at Philmont after saying he wouldn't take my picture. That picture is now a laughing point in his annual slideshow. What a guy! I will honor him at our 11/10 Troop meeting in Midlothian, Va. Miss you Little John and David. Carry on.
Bub Ronnau
October 25, 2009
Dear Jean and Family,
My prayers are with you during your time of sorrow. May God bless all of you. John was a humorous young man too! May he rest in eternal peace.
-Anne Marie Golek, Wilmerding, PA
Hal Cory
October 21, 2009
A salute to a great Scout leader and friend.
He will be missed in Scout circles both locally, regionally and nationally.
Tom McGuire
October 21, 2009
To the Ribar Family,
A man that people respected, listened to, laughed with, and will miss. John Ribar was a good man in a beacon of leadership in a world with too few true leaders. God bless your family, and I will miss deeply.
Andres Villegas
October 20, 2009
Uncle John, I will always remember the good times I spent visiting and talking with you.
October 20, 2009
To the Ribar Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking and praying for you.
Mitzi Petrey Jackson
October 20, 2009
John, I'm very sorry for your loss. My you and your family find peace in the love you share for one another.
Pat Meehan
THS '70
Judy and Mike Kosiba
October 18, 2009
Please accept our deepest sympathies. God's blessings be with his family in this time of mourning.
Kathy & Ric Robbibaro
October 18, 2009
AuntJean & Family,
Word of Uncle John reached us suddenly while sad it immediately provoked fond memories of happier times.
I remember as a child how we use to travel to Kentucky and see everyone and was always welcomed with open arms.
I pray you will find peace and strength
in your family and friends.
Our deepest sympathy.
October 18, 2009
Sorry for your lose Gene i thank you and your husband john for giving me a great job. always in my heart your whole family.
Danny Goff
Danny Goff
October 18, 2009
Sorry for your lose Gene i thank you and your husband john for giving me a great job. always in my heart your whole family.
Danny Goff
Philmont Flowers to bloom for John Ribar
David Gironda, Sr.
October 17, 2009
John Ribar was an inspirational to all Catholic Scout Leaders who were fortunate enough to make his acquaintence. He was an exceptional holy person, he just glowed with the love of GOD, and graced the lives of so many, particularly those of us in Scouting. We all will miss him.
Emilio, Donna, and Andres Villegas
October 16, 2009
Aunt Jean, John, David, Richard, Susan, and Don - We are with you these days in thought and prayer. We will miss him, also. May God be with all of you.
Gordon & Tina Stiefel
October 16, 2009
Our prayers are with your family at this time. We know you have a multitude of wonderful memories to keep close to your hearts.
May the great Scoutmaster of all great Scouts and Scouters, comfort and be with you until we all meet again in heaven with John. So may it be
Mike Johnson
October 16, 2009
To the Ribar Family: Mike and I are so blessed to have known John (Big John, that is what we called him). God broke the mold when he made Big John, and you as his family are even more blessed to have him in your lives. John inspired Mike and I to continue in scouting and help young men to reach the rank of Eagle. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Thanks for sharing Big John with all of us Scouters !! Love and Prayer to you All !! Mike and Teena Johnson
Sharon Bosler
October 16, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with the Ribar Family. He was such a wonderful person to be around, he will truly be missed. Just remember the good thought and he will always be with all of you
October 16, 2009
My prayers are with your family at this time. I know you have a multitude of wonderful memories to keep close to your hearts. John will be greatly missed by all who have known him. May he rest in peace!
Jacquie Gozdowiak
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Catholic Committee on Scouting
Dave Tracewell
October 16, 2009
Our sincere condolences to John's Wife and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a good man who cared deeply for his Family, Scouting, and his Faith. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Dan Kruger
October 15, 2009
Mrs. Ribar, John, Richard, I have such fond memories of John, particularly when I was a young, dumb kid learning the forms industry back in the early 80's. John showed incredible patience with me and taught me a great deal about our industry. I am forever in debt to him. His positive influence on his business associates is comparable to his influence on Scouting. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Don Land
October 15, 2009
Words somehow do not seem adaquate at a time when a family loses a husband,father and grandfather. But to the Ribar family, know that the thoughts and prayers reach out to all of you on your loss, from the Scouts, Scouters family and friends within the Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA.
Mary Ellen Yeomans
October 15, 2009
It has been my pleasure to have known John even if for only a few years. His great humor, gratiousness and helpfulness go beyond all. He was a special person and will be greatly missed by all who know him. To the Ribar family I entend my condolences and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing your special person with everyone else. Richmond won't be the same without you John.
Debbie Smith
October 15, 2009
I personally did not know John, but have heard many wonderful things about him. My condolences to the Ribar family. "In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing." by Robert Ingersoll
Gary Weaver
October 15, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with the Ribar Family. John showed how the values and ideals of Scouting to everyone who meet him. John will be missed and I am grateful to have met John through the NCCS and training at Philmont.
Joseph Wagner
October 15, 2009
It is with great JOY that I write this to you - the "Blessed" Ribar famlies. John was God's man. John knew this and used it in Scouting(all of) to spread the Good News of Christ. John is an inspiration to us all in loving the youth in Scouting - we must continue his mission. Thank you John for letting me know you. My prayers & condolences from Region 3 NCCS.
October 15, 2009
All of John's many faithful years to the scouting program is really appreciated and thankful for him. You have all our condolences on behalf of the Atlanta Archdiocese Catholic Committee on Scouting. May John rest in peace.
Tommy Treat
Atlanta Archdiocese Catholic
Committee on Scouting
Bob Nelson
October 15, 2009
Remembering the several years as my "boss" in the NCCS. John was indeed a gentleman, the wisest mentor I ever had, and disbursed it regularly with his well-known input of humor. I'll sorely miss him!! Thank God for my privilege of having worked with him. Jean - to you and your family, my sincere condolensces on your loss. God bless John and all his family.
Kathy Petr
October 15, 2009
I've only known John a few years through the NCCS and he was always a GOOD GUY to be around. He will me missed! Kathy Petr (Wichita, KS)
Jeff & Peggy Merman
October 15, 2009
If there is a Cub Pack in Paradise, the Good Lord, has a position for you, John. And you need only spend one hour a week......The world is a lesser place today. You will be missed; God speede your journey home...
Dear Jean, John, David, Richard, Susan, and Don...Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. I watched John walk around the MGC festival one time buying little kids chances to win cakes......That was John, always giving to kids-big & small. He was always great to me & my family. I am sorry we are out of town.
Good thoughts & Peace,
Peggy, Jeff Merman & Family
Susan Medley
October 15, 2009
Richard and John Jr.,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your families. What an incredible inspiration he was to us all and an amazing asset to Scouting. He will be missed terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Yours in Scouting,
David Clay
October 15, 2009
Men like John Ribar are put into this world to make many other mens lives better. Mr. Ribar accomplished this for so many. What a wonderful and influential man, that had a huge positive impact on all that he met. I am so sorry for your families lost.
Jan Phelps
October 15, 2009
I am so sorry for you and your family. I only wish I could have known him. He must have been an inspiration to all. Jan Phelps
Chris Kaelin
October 14, 2009
John Sr. was a great man, and a joy to be around! He was so passionate about insuring that Scouting always remained about the boys. Scouting had no greater advocate than Mr. Ribar, and he will be greatly missed! We are praying for his family during this tough time.
Back to Gilwell John Sr.!
Rick, Geri & Mike McCarthy
October 14, 2009
Aunt Jean & family,
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts & prayers.
David Noltemeyer Sr.
October 14, 2009
Role Model, Mentor, Friend.
I will forever remember John’s kindness, his gifts of time, advice and council… I will keep our friendship and the memories created there, tightly secured in my mind but often remembered. A true man among men with the heart of the Eagle and the shadow of a Saint.
Sherran McDonough
October 14, 2009
Richard....my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your father was a great guy....I remember meeting him and your mom in your kitchen around a table full of great food at one of your parties. I hope that you will soon feel him close by. Only the form changes..the spirit is eternal.
Blessings
Sherran McDonough
Tony Morton
October 14, 2009
Sonia and I were so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was truly a great Scouter and a wonderful man. He will be greatly missed.
Frank Diaz
October 14, 2009
My thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the entire Ribar Family. I met John about 20+ years ago at an NCCS meeting. Enjoyed his whit and discussions over the years. He will be missed greatly by everyone in Region 11.
Dave Speicher
October 14, 2009
Dear Jean, John, David, Richard, Susan, and Don... The World is poorer and Heaven much richer now. John was funny, caring, loving, and inspirational. Years after Scouts and school I would drop in his office to visit and he always had time for me. I have some fond memories of Scouting activities but most of all, I will never forget the eulogy John gave at my Dad's service. In his own words, John "was one of the good guys". Growing up down the street and knowing all of you was a blessing in my life. With thoughts and prayers, God Bless...
Anna Skaggs
October 14, 2009
Richard, I am so sorry for your loss. I never had the opportunity to meet your dad but from all I have read it seems like he was a pretty awesome person. You and your family are in my prayers.
October 14, 2009
Eternal rest grant unto him Oh Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon him throughthe mercy ofGo may he rest in peace.
Salve Regina!
Our heartfelt condolences to the entire Ribar family. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to meet John at Philmont when we came with all our kids in tow. He will be greatly missed, but his work and love will endure forever!
The Bontkowski family..Chicago Il
Douglas Wagoner
October 14, 2009
The world over has lost a perfect practicioner of the values and ideals of Scouting. My prayers, thoughts and sympathies to the entire Ribar family.
Mark Craven
October 14, 2009
My condolences go out to the entire Ribar Family. John was truly a great man and will be missed by everyone. My families thoughts and prayers are with you all as you grieve this loss.
Margaret Matarese
October 14, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with the Ribar family. I am grateful to have met John through NCCS. He is a wonderful example for us all.
October 14, 2009
John You are with the great Scoutmaster. I will miss you. You are a great friend and mentor. Your humor cannot be matched. God Bless, David and Sandy Todd, Charlie and Lindsay.
Bobby Burkett
October 14, 2009
Although I haven't seen John for many years, I've kept up with him from time to time through Richard and Susan. I always knew John to be a very genuine and caring individual, with a gift for some pretty corny jokes as well. He always made me laugh. To Richard, Susan and the entire family go my condolences.
October 14, 2009
The paths of honor and truth are minus one strong hiker.
John. Judy. Thomas Ribar
October 14, 2009
We love you and miss you Dad!
Susan and Mike Loveland, Rachel, Erin and Carly
Pat Neely
October 14, 2009
I will miss John and his sense of humor. He has been a friend of Scouting for many years and his friends will surely miss him, especially the Catholic Committee members, where he's devoted so much time and love to those around him. God Bless.
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