Eugene Ringhand

Eugene A. Ringhand, 82, of Eau Claire, passed away late Monday evening, December 3, 2018 at his home in the loving care of his family and Mayo Home Hospice.
Eugene Arthur Ringhand, son of Fred and Charlotte (Karow) Ringhand was born Nov. 22, 1936 in Bridge Creek Township, rural Augusta. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta, graduated from Augusta High School in 1955, and received a bachelor degree in journalism from Wisconsin Sate College-Eau Claire. In high school he enjoyed his involvement in team sports and had served as Homecoming King. While in college he was the editor of the school’s newspaper known as the Spectator and was one of the organizers of the Wisconsin State College Press Association. Also while attending college Eugene worked as an orderly at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire and as a Reserve Officer for the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department. From 1957 until 1959 he worked as a sport and special assignment reporter for the Eau Claire Leader Telegram. In 1960 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and his tour of duty was with the 32nd. Division Headquarters at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was assigned to the Division Headquarters Company as a liaison for non commissioned officers in charge of information specialist. When Eugene was honorably discharge he returned to Wisconsin where he managed the office of the Spring Valley Sun Newspaper, before taking a position with the Leader Telegram in the Menomonie location.
Eugene was employed for 42 years by the Eau Claire Leader Telegram, having served as city editor, managing editor and before retiring he held the position as chief editor. Eugene had served as a former President of the Wisconsin Associated Press Club and as the 1st. President of the Western Wisconsin Press Club. While working as the sport reporter for the Leader Telegram he met Joan Marie Whelihan and the couple later married on Oct. 7, 1960 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Eugene and Joan made their home in Eau Claire and spent as much time as possible with their family at their cabin on Fish Lake just east of Chetek. Over the years he had enjoyed league bowling, fishing and reading historical fiction novels. He had been a member of the American Legion in Eau Claire.
Eugene will be dearly missed by his son, Michael (Patti) Ringhand of Osseo; 2 daughters, Karen Preston of Altoona, Ann Ringhand of Eau Claire; 5 grandchildren, Alex (Morgan) Ringhand, Jessica (Ben) Frick, Samantha Preston (Sam Gartmann), Nicholas Erickson, Tanya (Trevor) Cook; 7 great grandchildren, Evan Webster, Rylan Rose Erickson, Abigail Erickson, Christopher Pantoja, Jackson Cook, Preston and Cooper Frick; brother, Richard (Sandra) Ringhand of Augusta; brothers-in-law, Jim Colvin of Augusta, and Mike Rasmussen of Kenosha.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte in 1984, Fred in 1997; Joan, his loving wife of 52 years who passed away on Jan. 21, 2013; sisters, Alice Lowman, Sharon Colvin, Betty Rasmussen; and son-in-law, Neil Preston.
Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta, with Pastor Carlton Kangas officiating. Burial was in the West Lawn Cemetery in Augusta.
Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com.