David K. Ribbe

David K. Ribbe, 89, of Westborough, MA, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, December 1, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Portland, Maine, 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. David grew up in Ridgewood, N.J. and graduated from Ridgewood High School class of 1954. Received an Associate in Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Fairleigh Dickenson University. Husband of the late Catherine Margaret (Murphy) and the late Beverly Ann (Diorio).

David served in the United States Air Force as a Senior Fuel Supply Specialist in aircraft refueling at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina. 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. Named Airman of the Month in July 1959. Assigned as Assistant NCOIC at Keflavik Airport, Iceland in 1960. Decorations include the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon.

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, and received the prestigious Texaco Star Dealer Award. He was a member of the Grand Marshall’s staff for the Ridgewood Independence Day Parade years 1967-1969.

In July 1970, David joined World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. as a District Parts Manager. In 1992, employed by Volkswagen of America as a Senior District Parts Manager. Held positions of Operations Support Specialist, After Sales Marketing Manager, and Field Operations Manager. Retired in December 2006 after 36 years with the Volkswagen Organization.

A communicant of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monroe, N.Y. and Good Sheppard Lutheran Church in Pearl River, N.Y., David served on the Church Council as Stewardship Board Chairperson at St. Paul, and on the Stewardship Committee at Good Sheppard. David also served as President of the Board of Managers, Treetops Place in Nanuet, N.Y.

An active supporter of organizations he was proud of such as: 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.

Survived by 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.

Visitation will be held 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.  Internment, with military honors, will follow at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, Paramus, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, 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.