John Elliott Ryberg

John Elliott Ryberg passed away on May 24, 2025. He was born in Manchester, CT on July 11, 1957 and moved to Palm Beach County, FL when his dad was transferred to the Pratt & Whitney facility in 1961. Raised in North Palm Beach, he was a member of the second class of graduating students from the Benjamin School, attended North Shore High School, and received a BA in Engineering from Florida Atlantic University. He worked as an engineer at the Florida Power & Light powerplant in Riveria Beach, FL and was the Plant Engineer at the Solid Waste Authority’s refuge processing plant on Jog Road in West Palm Beach.

John loved the outdoors. He grew up fishing, swimming and boating in the Intracoastal, “owning” Lakeside Park, exploring Munion Island and loved to tell stories of watching military maneuvers as they prepared for the Vietnam War. Family trips included boating and fishing in The Keys, exploring the national parks and just about anything outdoors. Most recently, he was content just sitting on the front porch feeding peanuts to the squirrels and blue jays. He was an avid coin collector and could identify a silver coin when someone dropped one on a table. His morning always started with the daily NY Times Sudoku and ended sitting out front with a crossword puzzle. He loved wild Florida Orchids and became a foster gardener trying to replant them in his yard.

A devoted family man and friend, honest to a fault, he would listen to your issue and provide support when needed. Rarely showing his emotions outwardly, he was quiet, preferred sitting in the background, never in the lime light, and yet you always knew he truly cared.

John is survived by his wife of 38 years Diane (Dirschel) Ryberg, daughter Courtney Ryberg, son Darren (Ali) Ryberg, sisters Carol (Pete) Fucci, Mary (Calvin) Johnson, Betty (Phil) Ryberg Grant, grandchildren Olivia, Maddox and Mackenzie Ryberg, father-in-law Richard Dirschel, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 754 US 1, North Palm Beach, FL on June 21 from 2-5PM. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the Orchid Society of the Palm Beaches, 531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415.: https://114251.blackbaudhosting.com/114251/In-Memory-of