David L. Ryniec

1949 - 2025

Arnold, CA - David L. Ryniec, age 79, passed away at home in Arnold, CA on July 23, 2025, after a sudden cardiac arrest brought on by liver cancer. Born July 25, 1945, in Thorp, Wisconsin to Leo and Helen (Kowieski) Ryniec, he joined a sister, Dorothy and a brother, Donald.

Dave grew up on their family dairy farm and graduated from Thorp High School Class of 1963. He studied Chemical Engineering at Wisconsin State University 1964-1966. Dave enlisted in the U.S. Army Officers School at Fort Benning, GA, and served in the Vietnam War from 1967-1968.

Dave met Maureen McDevitt at the Army Officers Club at Fort Lewis Army Base, Tacoma, WA. He married the love of his life, Maureen McDevitt on November 24, 1971. They were married 54 wonderful years.

Maureen's Uncle John Buchanan influenced Dave to work in his lumber business which shaped Dave's life and career in the traditions of the lumber industry. On June 16, 1971, Dave joined Weyerhaeuser Company, one of largest privately owned lumber and forest products companies, as a Sort Yard Operations Manager. During his employment with Weyerhaeuser, he was offered continuing education earning him a B.B.A. in Business Operations at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA graduating on May 12, 1984. Additional education took him to Long Beach, CA for training in Manage Consistency; to Tokyo, Japan for Foreign Studies Training; and to the University of Michigan's business school in 1987-1992 for Managers Executive Education. Lastly, Weyerhaeuser sponsored Dave to pursue a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at Stanford Graduate School of Business in Palo Alto, CA, where he graduated in 1995.

As Weyerhaeuser Company became focused on recycling, Dave was promoted to manage all aspects of the Recycling Division which covered areas from Canada to Mexico. After much success he was promoted to Western Division Regional Manager for the Recycling Division. He was then promoted to Regional Vice President in the Southwestern Recycling Division where he managed 17 profit centers in 12 Western States including Canada and Mexico. Dave's 32 years (1971-2003) of accomplishments and dedication was a testament to his passion and commitment to the Weyerhaeuser Company.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Helen Ryniec; his in-laws, Daniel and Dorothy (Buchanan) McDevitt; his brothers-in-law, Brian and Kevin McDevitt; and his sister-in-law, Vicky Ryniec.

Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Maureen; a sister, Dorothy (Gerald) Olson; niece, Debbie; nephews, Duane and Dale; brother, Donald and his sons Gary and Robert and their many grandchildren; along with other Kowieski relatives and friends from Thorp, WI. Dave is also survived by his brother-in-law, Michael (Denise) McDevitt; niece, Adelle; and nephew Andy, and their grandchildren in Belfair, WA; also cousin, Donald A. (Rosalie) Buchanan in Federal Way, WA.

Dave loved his 25 years of retirement with his Arnold, CA community where he was involved in the HOA, SIR Branch 152 (honored with a "Quilt of Valor"), SWCC Men's Golf Club, his group known as ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out), and various other volunteer committees. Dave was passionate about the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament where he served as a Marshall and then head Marshall for many years.

Dave's extreme love of fly fishing took him to many streams and rivers, around North America with the "Wooly Bugger" fly on the rod in pursuit of his 'catch of the day.'

Thank you to Angels Memorial Chapel Cremation Services who handled Dave's remains with dignity and respect. For all those who knew Dave, he will remain in our hearts forever. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in the near future.