obituaries

Walter B. Ryburn

Walter B. Ryburn of La Crescenta, loving husband and father, insurance broker, Gideon and Dodger fan passed away on June 27 at home after a six month struggle with cancer. He was 82.

Walt was born on Oct. 2, 1927 in Butte, Mont. to Robert and Vida Ryburn. He was the youngest of four children (Ellen, Bob and Harriette). When he was under 5 the family moved to Los Angeles. He learned to garden from grandmother Shott and managed newspaper delivery. Walt graduated from Los Angeles High School and then enlisted in the Navy, which sent him to school at the University of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. As the war started to wind down he was transferred to USC and then San Diego where he met Pat, the love of his life, at Ocean Beach. He then continued studies at UCLA.

Walt and Pat were married on Aug. 31, 1947. They resided in San Diego and then moved to Vista where he was the distributor for the Northern San Diego County edition of the San Diego Union newspaper. During that time their three children, Bill, Barbara and Bob were born. Walt was very active in the Lions Club as well as the Vista Community Church. When his dad started moving towards retirement in the insurance field Walt went to school to learn the insurance business and began to work with his father in the Ryburn Company where he specialized in commercial insurance. The family then moved to La Cañada in 1961. Walt continued in various aspect of the insurance business until last summer when he officially retired at the age of 82. He loved his profession.

Walt continued to be actively involved in both the local Lions Club and the
Lions Youth Exchange program where
he has a welcoming presence with students from Japan for many years. Walt was very involved at the First Baptist Church at La Crescenta where he worked with the youth, was a deacon, managed the morning’s coffee hour and was very active with the Lamplighter Sunday School Class. The Lamplighters provided a wonderful community of joy and
care for over 45 years. Walt was also
involved with the Gideons, and was proud to be part of their Bible distribution ministry.

Walt was married to Pat for 63 incredible years. They loved to garden together, travel and cook for family and friends. Walt was also an avid Dodger fan. He was a loving father and grandfather who modeled for his family an incredible love for life, commitment to service and love to others. He loved his church and his Lord, Jesus Christ.

A memorial service will be held at
the First Baptist Church at La Crescenta at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 10. Memorial donations can be made to The
Gideons International or to the Teen Program at the First Baptist Church at La Crescenta.

  Walter B. Ryburn