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June 11, 2020 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 15
Dr. Palmieri, fourth from right, Don Ringsby, to her left, of Colorado Consular Corps participating in official meeting with Mayor Hancock, center.
In Memoriam, Don Ringsby BY DEB A. PALMIERI PRINCIPAL, THE PALI GROUP, LLC
I got to know Don as his colleague in the Colorado Consular Corps, the official organization for diplomats in the State of Colorado. Don was appointed as Honorary Consul General of Thailand in 1980 and held the post until his death on May 15, 2020. He was 80 when he died. Don was a prominent force in our organization, and had boundless energy and devotion to the cause of diplomacy. He served as Treasurer of our organization for 16 years, and served on many committees. He and Karen graciously offered up their beautiful Denver Country Club home to host our annual diplomats Christmas party two years ago, and Don personally took charge of every detail from catering to valet parking to make sure he gave up his best for his friends and colleagues. That tells you something about Don: brilliant businessman, astute thinker, great attention to detail and budget, always on the mark, always on time and always a fun person to work with. Don was popular among his colleagues. Sir Don Peterson, newly elected and incoming Dean of the Colorado Consular Corp and Honorary Consul of Sweden, had this to say: “Fellow members
of the Colorado Consular Corps of Colorado will always have fond memories of Don Ringsby, who was not only an outstanding philanthropic business leader, but also an esteemed colleague, as the Honorary Consul of Thailand for 40 years. His friendly demeanor and gracious hosting of many Consular Corps’ events, together with his lovely wife, Karen, made for a genuine camaraderie among our diplomatic members and community guests.” Another colleague, Honorary Consul Emeritus of Nicaragua, Dr. Bronwyn Bateman and world renowned ophthalmologist said this: “Don Ringsby was a dynamic and charming man. I have fond memories getting together with him and Karen in Aspen where he had a long history in the aviation industry. He was a real American - he could take risks and enjoy life. I will miss him.” I have many fond memories of Don. The thing I will remember most is his devotion to his beautiful wife Karen, You never saw Don without Karen. Always together, always devoted to each other. Devoted likewise to his children and grandchildren, the consummate family man. There are many complex sides to Don. He always wanted to help people help themselves. He advanced this
cause generously. One example is that he owned a building on Colfax that he rented at a very reasonable rate to an immigrant Asian family. He ended up selling it to them below market, and financing it for them. He was so impressed with their work ethic, and how hard they worked and sacrificed, this was his way of promoting small business in Denver and America. He always wanted to see the little guy get ahead. Once he helped the cause of a local artist running for a local Denver office. He thought it was important to see someone from the local arts community get a foothold in local government. I will always remember the big bash Don and Karen held at their home to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Completely packed with people in his back yard, it was Mexican themed with a lively Mariachi Band and Mexican food. They danced to the famous song, and their favorite, “Besame”. (Kiss Me in Spanish). They were one of the most devoted couples I have known. There is the official biography of Don that is well known. He assumed presidency of the family business Ringsby Truck Lines in 1977 and served as Chairman and CEO from 1981 until the company was sold in 1986. The Ringsby family purchased Aspen Airways in 1963 and Don was President and Chairman of the Board of
Aspen Airways, Inc from 1981 to 1990 when he sold the business. From 1981 to 2007, he served as Chairman, CEO and President of Ringsby Terminals. The street, Ringsby Court, in River North Art District just south of the juncture of -I25 and I-70 is named after the Ringsby family. His dad Bill was one of the early owners of the efforts to bring professional basketball to Denver, and that’s how the family gained a majority ownership stake in the Denver Rockets. The Rockets were named after the slogan of the Ringsby Trucking company. And the uniforms took on the orange and black colors of the Ringsby Rockets trucking service. Don served on many boards of business and charitable causes, including Young Presidents Organization, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of YPO, Columbus Energy Co, Colorado Uplift and the Investment Committee of the University of Colorado Foundation. He belonged to many clubs, such as the Wigwam Club near Deckers, the Big Horn Club in Montana, the Denver Country Club, Savannah Golf Club and Savannah Harbor Club. Don loved hunting and fishing, and was good at it. Once I was sorting through my father’s memorabilia. Something told me to look through the Lamar newspaper I was getting ready to toss. It’s a
good thing I did. My eye caught the photo of Don and my Dad in the early 1970s on the winning team of the Two Shot Goose Hunt held annually in Lamar. What an amazing coincidence - both avid hunters and loved the hunting competitions. I sent the picture to Don and he got a real kick out of it. Don was born June 3, 1939 and attended South Denver High School. He was awarded his undergraduate degree at the University of Boulder in Colorado (my alma mater for my BA), where he met his beloved wife Karen. In his later years, he divided his time between Denver, Savannah and Aspen. I will remember Don for his good energy, his business and civic brilliance, his devotion to Karen and family, his firm belief in America and the American way, and his hard work and “can-do” ethic, and his willingness to help his community, his sense of humor and ability to have fun and enjoy life. He was and will remain an exemplary role model for how to live a good life. I will miss Don greatly. Dr. Deb Palmieri is Honorary Consul of Russia since 2007 and Dean Emeritus of the Colorado Consular Corps. She served alongside of Don for 13 years in the Colorado Consular Corps where they were both members. She has lived mostly in Colorado since 1959.
Consular Corps of Colorado announces new officers for 2020-2021 Chamber of ComThe Consular Corps merce of Colorado, of Colorado is pleased to where he is a permaannounce the election of nent, honorary memnew Officers to its Board ber of its Board of for the 2020-2021 term. Directors. Honorary Swedish ConMr. Peterson was sul, Sir Donald Peterson admitted to the pracwas elected as Dean, tice of law in 1976 Honorary Consul for before all Colorado Italy, Giovanna Carriero-Contreras - Vice Dean, Donald Peterson Courts of record, as well as the United Consul of United Kingdom, Erin Kuhn – Secretary, Hon- States District Court for the District of Colorado and the United orary Consul of Belgium, Vera Braeckman-Kennedy – Treasurer. States Court of Veterans Appeals. Mr. Peterson previously served as Mr. Peterson has a general civil trial and appellate practice, emTreasurer of the Consular Corps phasizing elder law, estate planof Colorado for 10 years, as well ning and personal injury. as Secretary and Vice Dean. Mr. Peterson has been a Sir Donald Peterson was appointed in February, 1984 as Hon- well-received columnist for The Villager since early 2019, reorary Vice-Consul of Sweden for garding his column, “About The the States of Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. In August, 2001 Law”, concerning legal affairs in the Senior Choices section of the he was promoted to Honorary newspaper. Consul for Sweden, covering the Mr. Peterson graduated from same district States. the University of Denver, College Based on his continuous years of Arts and Sciences, with a Bachof consular service, Mr. Peterson was knighted by the King of Swe- elor of Arts Degree (cum laude) in den in 1994 and is the recipient of 1973. He also received a degree The Royal Order of the Polar Star from the University of Uppsala in Sweden regarding international Medal. law. Mr. Peterson received his JuIn 1989, Mr. Peterson was a ris Doctor Degree from the Unifounding Director and helped versity of Denver, College of Law establish the Swedish-American
in June, 1976. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Denver, Colorado and American Bar Associations, as well as the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the Elder Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association. The Consular Corps of Colorado is over 60 years old as an organization. The Corps currently consists of 36 countries. The number of countries which choose to have official representation in Colorado has grown significantly over the years, as Colorado has become more linked to international business and global activities. Presently, Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Peru, and the United Kingdom have full-time consulates in the state. The Consular Corps of Colorado is the official organization representing foreign governments in the State of Colorado, including regular Foreign Service career posts and honorary appointments. All Corps’ diplomats are recognized and credentialed by the United States Department of State. Consuls and Honorary Consuls General perform important duties behalf of their representative country, including insuring that foreign nationals from their
sending country are properly represented; advising on business and educational matters; dealing with issues pertaining to visas and passports, and special cases as may arise, including under the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Consular Corps of Colorado strives to increase cooperation
and communication among its members; to increase awareness of foreign and international issues in Colorado and to provide information to Colorado residents about visas, laws, regulations, passport issues and other diplomatic matters pertaining to each host country.
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