Joseph A. Ringwald

Al probably learned to ice skate before he could walk and was an avid fisherman and hunter from an early age. He excelled in sports, especially soccer and track. After graduating from high school in Alliance, Ohio, he attended various colleges, including Kent State University, Manatee College, and Moody Bible Institute, embodying a lifelong love of learning.

Al enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school, training as a radar operator. He served in the choir at Homburg Chapel in Hanau, Germany, and played soccer with a national German team as part of a foreign relations program. His career included serving as a police officer in Marlborough County, Ohio, and as Plant Manager of East Manufacturing Corporation in Ohio. He taught springboard diving at the YMCA, was a scuba diving instructor, and owned Alpha Marine Canvas and Upholstery and Yacht Management in Sarasota, Florida. Al was also a freelance photographer specializing in horse magazines and served as a missionary in Central America, coordinating social ministry projects for impoverished communities. He was a horse trainer and assistant manager of Sun West Ranch in Ennis, Montana.

Al was a devoted husband to his wife, Linda Ringwald, and a loving father to his son, Joel Ringwald, and daughter-in-law, Dianna. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Jean Hoffmeyer. He was predeceased by his father, Joseph E. Ringwald; mother, Lena Ringwald; and brother-in-law, Dewayne Hoffmeyer.

Al was active in any outdoor activity, including hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, and camping. He learned how to sew on industrial machines to start a business making custom marine canvas and upholstery products. He also built his home in Montana. Al had a talent for relating to animals, training hunting dogs and horses, though he admittedly was not good with cats. He loved the water, learned to sail, and served in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Al also enjoyed cooking and worked as a chef at a hunting outfitter camp in Montana. As a believer in Jesus Christ, he spent his later years in evangelistic activities in his local churches.

In Montana, Al served as chairman of the Canyon Creek Volunteer Fire Department. He had a gift for relating to people both domestically and internationally. His joy was leading Bible studies and helping others understand the truths of Scripture, in both English and Spanish. He also served in his local Chinese Church.

Al will be remembered as a faithful, dedicated man with many gifts, which he viewed as skills provided by God to do the work of Christian ministry. He was serious about his work but also open to humor and good-natured teasing. One of his favorite Scriptures was: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”--Galatians 5:22-23.

He was a caring and thoughtful husband, a loving father, and a mentor and example to many. Al was truly a "renaissance man," a faithful servant of God. He resides in the presence of the Savior in heaven, enjoying the inheritance of his eternal reward. We will miss him.

A visitation will be held at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - West Columbia Chapel, 820 West Dunbar Road, West Columbia, SC, on December 13, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A memorial service will take place at Living Stone Chinese Community Church, 3900 Live Oak Street, Columbia, SC, on December 14, 2025, at 2:00 pm, followed by a burial at Southland Memorial Gardens, 700 West Dunbar Road, West Columbia, SC.