VanRyper
Class of 1969
Richard Gerard VanRyper (1946-2009)
Joined Beta Upsilon Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity on September 17, 1966 (BU #00118) The following tribute to Rick VanRyper was given by Al “Bud” Hales at the Necrology held on April 10, 2011 at the UVA Chapel as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of the Beta Upsilon Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. Rick VanRyper was my First Year roommate, 1965 in Hancock. We studied together, ate meals together, and Rushed Pi Kappa Phi together. We pledged together and became Brothers. If we had been “twin” brothers, Rick would have been known as the steady one, the quiet one, the thoughtful one, and, the wise one. His qualities gave him a good and happy life. Sadly, a life that was far too short. Rick died Oct 1, 2009, suddenly while enjoying a round of golf….. one day after he had retired from his career with DuPont. As an engineer with DuPont, Rick had just celebrated his 40th anniversary. He was the Senior Development Engineer at Dupont’s Engineering Polymers Division, developing advanced materials for automotive applications. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Rick was survived by his wife of 40 years, Kris, who as I recall was Rick’s steady date from First Year onward, and their two children, Beth who lives in Wilmington DE and Neil who lives in Philadelphia.
I spoke with Kris last week and she said that “We miss Rick terribly but he did lead a wonderful life and was a very happy person, both personally and professionally. As our son said at Rick's memorial service his dad was the most contented person Neil ever knew. Beth, Neil and I were lucky to have him in our lives.” Kris was particularly moved by how respected Rick was among his colleagues at DuPont. When Rick passed away, his colleagues at the Newark DE Operating Plant stayed up all night in order to notify other DuPonters around the world. He was known at DuPont for that same quiet, unassuming wisdom that we knew at Beta Upsilon. Rick would only share his knowledge and thoughts if you asked him. He treated everyone with respect. He never sought attention. It was not about Rick.
Rick was Dick Opp’s Big Brother and the best man at Dick’s wedding in June 1971. Dick remembers Rick’s “quiet
wisdom” and feels that Rick’s steady, thoughtful guidance was especially valuable at those times when Dick needed to be straightened out. Rick was always there to help when Dick needed him, when I needed him, when friends, family and DuPont colleagues needed him. Rick was an avid golfer and supported The Tiger Woods Foundation to support youth development through golf. He also volunteered at the MacDonald’s LPGA event for many years. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family, lending his handyman skills to all who needed help. He was always willing to help someone out by fixing up their house, their yard, their car. Rick once owned a 1953 Chevrolet which he sold to Dick for $50 (it needed a new timing chain) and Dick towed it from Lebanon, NJ all the way back to Dunn Loring, VA where it sat until Dick later sold it for…. Huh!... $50. Dick could not get Rick to come help him fix it up!! Another of Rick’s wise decisions. Rick, our Brother will be missed and remembered for his qualities that gave him a good and contented life. --Bud Hales, April 2011
