Ronald Rifenburg

St.Augustine, FL-Ronald Rifenburg, formerly of Hebron,NH passed away on October 6, 2022 at CMC Hospital in Manchester, NH after a courageous fight against heart failure, pneumonia, and other serious illnesses after a brief return to NH to spend his final time with close family.

Ron was born in Poughkeepsie, NY on June 12, 1932 the son of James Rifenburg and Florence (Triebel) Rifenburg. After graduation from Red Hook, NY high school, he joined the US Airforce and was deployed to Korea and served until he was honorably discharged at the end of the war.

Upon his return from military service, he enrolled and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. He met and married his dear loving wife Joyce Racine of Westbrookville, NY and started his career and family.

He began professional work for the Travelers Insurance Company in upstate NY and moved around to RI, NH and CT on his career path to Senior Management in Hartford. He retired and moved back to NH to be closer to his children and their families.

Ron enjoyed time on Newfound Lake in the summer and the St. Augustine, FL sun and ocean in the winter. He played golf and tennis and liked vegetable gardening and yard work. He was faithfully in church with family on Sunday morning followed by a fine meal prepared by his wife. He liked his coffee in the morning, a cigar smoke, and occasional McDonalds meal.

He enjoyed dinners at local NH restaurants with his sweetheart Joyce but his favorite was the Modern Restaurant for Saturday prime rib night starting with a Manhattan in Nashua. He sacrificially and humbly took his dear wife shopping for deals at Building 19 in Manchester and Zyla’s in Merrimack.

Ron was a true Godly man, patriotic American with unquestioned honesty, integrity, loyalty, class and clean living. He played by the rules and told the truth, paid all his debts due, gave generously to the Lord and those in need. He was a true gentleman in spoken and written word, was a role model for all around him, and called you out when you strayed but always was kind in offering sound advice on how to do it better next time.

Ron was predeceased by his loving wife Joyce in 2016 and beautiful daughters Suzanne Neville in 1993 and Jill Wilkins in 2008. He was also predeceased by two sisters, Gloria Pecheux and Marilyn Zaloga. He leaves three grandchildren, Andrew Neville and his wife Andrea of New Boston, NH, Veronica Wilkins of Denver CO and Ryan Wilkins of Henniker NH, and two great grand-children Addison and Noah Neville of New Boston, NH. And also leaves several dear nieces and nephews including Paulette Pecheux of Lake Placid, NY and Andrea Stutzman of Park City UT, along with David, Danny and Jimmy Zaloga of Florida and New York. He was also predeceased by a dear brother-in-law and life-long friend “Uncle Paul” Pecheux with whom he enjoyed many “men’s coffee” times and special moments with chatting about the important events of the day.

We are thankful for the support and care provided during these past few years by Joyce Curtin who helped around the condo and with trips for appointments, the bank and grocery shopping in St. Augustine and ultimately bringing him back to New Hampshire in September.

There will be no calling hours.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday October 23 at 11:00am at the Alexander Cemetery in Bow NH on River Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron’s memory to the Union Congregational Church, PO Box 67, 03241 in Hebron, NH.

Funeral arrangements by the Bennett funeral home in Concord NH.