Donald Lee Rifenbery

Mr.Rifenberry was the kindest principal of John Roger's grade school. He always was easy to talk to. I would go see him when I was a little sad, and he would help me. That was probably 65 yrs ago. I took a picture of him with my old black box camera. I carried that picture on .y books for many years. Very fortunate I knew him. We had very good loving teachers back then. I thank God for them in my life. I learned respect by example and how to love books and reading. I still have friends that I...

Mr. Rifenberry was my principal at Hough Elementary. He was kind and compassionate towards me. One block from Hough was a vicious acting dog chained in a yard that I had to walk by to get home. Sometimes, I would become so terrified at the dogs behavior that I went running back to the school. Mr. Rifenberry would then walk me past the dog, pointing out that the chain was much too heavy for the dog to break it. Aside from his assurances there were times I just couldn´t bring myself to walk...

Your father was my 6th grade teacher the last year he taught at Fruit Valley School. I have memories of him teaching at Fruit Valley. Also the sports he taught.

Don and Rosalie both attended my Senior Fitness Program for years. They were both very special people. I am fortunate to have been gifted with one of his beautifully made jewelry boxes that sits on my dresser. My thoughts and prayers to the family of Don.

Yes, I remember the day It was on the mourn That I saw a ship a sailing The sea was calm The winds were fair Home port was nigh Don still young And he was at the rail With shipmates once again.---rs

We wanted to pass along our condolences and appreciation for Mr. Rifenbery and his legacy of service in Vancouver Public Schools.

My sympathy to the family of Mr. Rifenbery on his passing I noticed his obituary while reading The Columbian on Sunday. I wanted to share with you a couple of memories. Mr. Rifenbery was my twin brother´s and my first grade principal at John Rogers Elementary School in 1956-1957. He certainly had some wonderful first grade teachers at his school. Craig and I had Mrs. Platt and Mrs. Sooter, respectively, for our important first year of schooling. We then attended Lieser Elementary after...

I began kindergarten at John Rodgers in 1953, attended there through 6th grade and have never forgotten Mr. Rifenbery. He was the calmest and fairest school official in any capacity I knew throughout my educational life. He treated us all with respect whether we deserved it or not. It was almost a pleasure to be reprimanded and sent to his office. My siblings and I still gather and reminisce. It's rare for those days to come up without mention of Mr. Rifenbery