Bruce Walter Durland Ryniker

Bruce W. D. Ryniker was born to Walter H. and Alice (Durland) Ryniker, and two years later was joined by sister Harriet Ann. They lived on Rimrock Road and considered the "Rims" as their own special backyard. He grew very tall very fast in this environment and had a lifelong love of the trees, rocks, and animals around him. When moving back to Billings after a 40-year-long career in car and toy design his main criteria for a home was that it have a view like the one from his childhood.

Bruce graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1958, leaving behind a mural of the Gran Prix of Monte Carlo showing cars of his own design. Contrary to legend, Bruce completed his mural over several months, not in one week. On July 8, 1961 he married his one true love, Marilee Vincent, also a 1958 Senior graduate. Bruce graduated from Art Center College of Design of Los Angeles in 1963 with a Bachelor of Professional Arts degree in transportation design and with a new baby son Kevin Walter Ryniker. Son Steven Durland Ryniker was born in 1966. During his career he worked at General Motors, Chrysler, James R. Powers & Associates, and Mattel Toys designing cars, trucks, toys, magazine ads, futuristic designs for the 1964 New York World's Fair and more. His designs have won many awards and much recognition. His most noted designs were the 1971-1973 Plymouth Road Runner and many Hot Wheels cars.

He was a wonderful man in addition to being an outstanding artist. He was never phony. Instead, he was loyal, gentle, honest, loving, and FUNNY! His friends from childhood are his friends today.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother-in-law Ralph Williams as well as by his aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Marilee, son Kevin and his wife Llynne, and their sons Chase and Sean, as well as by son Steven and his wife Jill. He is also survived by his sister Ann (Dave) Clayton, his brother-in-law David (Teresa) Vincent, and by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Thank you to all the people who came to the Nov. 17, 2015 art auction at Senior High. Your kind comments and greetings to him were valued highly. He talked about that evening for months afterwards.

Bruce's family is also grateful for all of the doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers who eased his journey with COPD over the past years. You are treasures.

Contributions in Bruce's memory may be made to Billings Senior High School, 425 Grand Avenue, Billings, Mt., 59101, attention Nancy Baum, and note Food Pantry on your check. Services for Bruce are pending.