1936 - 2025
Born in Portland, Maine, David was the son of the late Emil A. Ribbe, Director at Great American Insurance Co. and Lydia Kipp Ribbe, a school teacher in Boston, and brother of the late Andrew E. Ribbe. He spent his childhood in Ridgewood, New Jersey, grew up in Ridgewood, N.J. and graduated from Ridgewood High School class of 1954, later earning both an Associate in Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Fairleigh Dickenson University. David was the beloved husband of the late Catherine Margaret (Murphy) and the late Beverly Ann (Diorio).
A dedicated serviceman, David proudly served in the United States Air Force as a Senior Fuel Supply Specialist in aircraft refueling at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina. During his years of service, he also served on the Base Alert Contact Team and the Air Police Augmentee Team, participated in the Composite Air Strike Force deployment to the Middle East in 1958, and was honored as Airman of the Month in July 1959. His assignments included time as Assistant NCOIC at Keflavik Airport, Iceland in 1960, and his decorations included the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, and Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon.
Following his military career, David entered the fuel and automotive industries, beginning with Texaco, where he joined Texaco Inc. in 1961 as a Field Sales Manager, and as an owner of two Texaco service stations in Ridgewood and Glen Rock, New Jersey, earning the prestigious Texaco Star Dealer Award. He remained involved in community life as a member of the Grand Marshall’s staff for the Ridgewood Independence Day Parade years 1967–1969.
In 1970, David shifted into automotive corporate leadership, joining World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. as a District Parts Manager, later continuing with Volkswagen of America. Over his distinguished 36-year career, he served as a Senior District Parts Manager, Operations Support Specialist, After Sales Marketing Manager, and Field Operations Manager, retiring in 2006.
Faith and service remained central throughout his life. David was a communicant of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monroe, N.Y. and Good Sheppard Lutheran Church in Pearl River, N.Y., where he gave generously of his time, serving on the Church Council as Stewardship Board Chairperson at St. Paul, and on the Stewardship Committee at Good Sheppard. He also contributed to his community as President of the Board of Managers, Treetops Place in Nanuet, N.Y.
He remained deeply supportive of public service organizations he admired, including the Air Force Memorial Foundation, Disabled American Veterans Guardian Society, the West Point Club, the Air Force Association, New York State Fraternal Order of Police, New Jersey State Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the National Sheriff’s Association.
David leaves a loving family who will carry forth his memory: son Christopher and wife Cheri Ribbe, and grandchildren Grant, Nina and Talia Ribbe; son Geoffrey and wife Jessica Ribbe and grandchildren Brandon Lee and his wife Jasmine, and Amanda Ribbe; daughter Jill Metzmaker and grandson Charles Metzmaker.
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 12:30 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. in the Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 113 South Fairview Ave. Paramus, NJ, on Wednesday December 10th, with a service being held at 1 P.M. Interment with military honors will follow at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, Paramus, NJ.
In honor of David’s service and lifelong patriotism, donations can be made to the Air & Space Forces Association at https://givebutter.com/afa-AFAGeneralOps.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, Westborough, MA.
