Plymouth, MN - Richard John Ringhofer, age 84, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 6th after a brief illness. Long time resident of Minnetonka (more recently Plymouth) and Sun City West, Arizona, he was a dedicated father to Chuck (Carolyn) and Jay (Leigh) Ringhofer, grandfather to Annie, Nick, Jack, Will and Harry Ringhofer. He is survived by his sisters, Beverly (Fredrich) Woodrich and Donnis Schueller, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Carolyn (Bemis), brother Robert (Bob) and brother-in-law Arnold Schueller. Rich was born in Owatonna, MN to Robert and Barbara Ringhofer and graduated from Owatonna High School (1959).

Rich graduated from Dunwoody Industrial Institute in 1961 earning a 2-year degree in surveying and drafting, before attending Mankato State College where he earned a BS degree in math and business administration in 1965, and completed a Masters Degree in mathematics education in 1970. He taught math and coached wrestling in Gaylord and Osseo before a 30-year career at Hopkins (Lindbergh) High School. He was head wrestling coach at Hopkins from 1968-1975 leading the team to many Conference, District, and Regional titles, 20 state tournament entries and 4 individual state champions. He also coached JV tennis and held a 126-2 record over 11 years.

He was very involved in anything his boys did: sports, Boy Scouts, camping, fishing and hunting. Later he enjoyed watching his grandchildren's sporting events. He spent many memorable fun times with family and friends fishing and hunting, and relaxing at the log cabin on Smith Lake for 25 years. Becoming an Arizona snowbird for 27 years after retirement gave him a new group of friends and good times with family during the warm Arizona winters. He became an avid lawn bowler, and participated in many Senior Olympics, winning many events as well as helping run many club tournaments. He also enjoyed driving his vintage 'hot rod' Pontiac Trans-Am convertible in "Ringhofer Red".

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 20th at 10:00 a.m., with visitation 1/2 hour before, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 105 Forestview Ln N, Plymouth, MN 55441. Private Interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Alzheimer's Association in honor of his beloved Carolyn.