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 the 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 Corps 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.