Robert J. ‘Bob’ Ringstrom, 74
St. Joseph, MN
May 18, 1950-June 14, 2024
Robert James “Bob” Ringstrom, 74, of St. Joseph, died as a result of a tragic accident on Friday, June 14.
His funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 21 at Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pinecone Road N., Sartell. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 20 at the church and one hour prior to services Friday at the church. Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, at a later date. Arrangements are with Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud.
Ringstrom was born on May 18, 1950 in Devils Lake, N.D. to Norman and Lillian (Olsen) Ringstrom. The family later moved to Jamestown, N.D. where he graduated high school. He then entered the U.S. Marine Corps serving from 1968-1974. His service included the Vietnam War and Marine Security Guard Duty at the American Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. After completing his Marine enlistment, Ringstrom married Barbara Wiseman on July 20, 1974 in Pasco, Wash. The couple moved to Greece. Ringstrom worked as a civilian military employee. After two years in Greece they returned and settled in Mankato, Minn. Ringstrom completed his degree in law enforcement from Mankato State University in 1978. The couple moved to Hutchinson, Minn. where Ringstrom served as a police officer from 1978-1990. He continued his education and completed a master’s degree in criminal justice from St. Cloud State University. In 1990, the family moved to Sartell where Ringstrom served as the chief of police before retiring in 2004.
Ringstrom enjoyed hunting, fishing, biking, staying physically fit, music and playing the drums. He loved serving the community as a police officer and volunteering with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Ringstrom was in his happy place at the cabin sitting on the water with an old cigar to chew on. More than anything he enjoyed his title of “Papa” as the constant entertainer with his keen sense of humor and consistently funny noises.
Survivors include the following: his wife, Barbara of St. Joseph; daughters: Erika (Joshua) Jordan of Baton Rouge, La.; Krista (Michael) Schmitz of Sartell; and Britt Ringstrom of Victoria, Minn.; four grandchildren: Jaxon and Lillian Jordan and Adler and Hank Schmitz; siblings: Bruce (Anita) Ringstrom Sr. of Detroit Lakes, Minn.; Phil (Marcia) Ringstrom of Sartell; and Karen (Braden) Canfield of Minneapolis, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to the Dementia Community Action Network (https://dcan-mn.org).
