Ralph Kenneth Rydman

Ralph Kenneth Rydman went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 23, 2023.

Ralph was born on November 1, 1928 in Portland, Oregon. He was the ninth child born to his parents, Albin and Minnie, and had 3 older brothers and 5 older sisters.

Joining the U.S. Navy at age seventeen, he spent most of his enlistment (1945-1947) in Tsingtao, China, where he repaired small crafts for the National Chinese Navy. Upon his discharge, he attended Vanport College, which later became Portland State University, and studied Electrical Engineering.

Ralph married Joan Sharon Rothlisberg on July 16, 1954 and moved to Santa Barbara in 1957. They welcomed their first child Michael that same year, followed by three daughters, Kirsten, Erica, and Carolyn.

Ralph worked for Otts Hardware Store as an electrician and later started his own business, Rydman Electric, in 1962 working until retirement at the age of 87. In 2016, Ralph sold his business so he could be home with Sharon who suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s Disease.

Ralph and Sharon were extremely active in their local church, Bible study groups, YoungLife, marriage enrichment groups, as well as local Santa Barbara Kiwanis.

Ralph and Sharon moved to Samarkand Retirement Community in 2011 and Sharon passed away in 2019. Ralph is survived by 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.

Memorial Service will be held at Samarkand Retirement Community in the Mountain Room on Friday, January 12th at 2:00pm.