Robert Ernest Ribbe, M.D., a Vietnam Vet and orthopedic surgeon, passed away on July 10, 2022, surrounded by his family.
Ribbe was born in 1937 in Patterson, New Jersey, to Reverend Walter and Grace Ribbe. He graduated from Wheaton College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. While there, he was a member of the Army ROTC.
After Wheaton, Ribbe attended University of Pennsylvania Medical School and graduated with his medical degree.
Dr. Ribbe’s residency in general surgery was at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he was serving in the U.S. Army. He also entered the residency in orthopedic surgery program at Tripler Army Hospital, then a residency at Shriner’s Children Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii, and an internship at Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma, Washington.
Ribbe served in the Vietnam war from 1968 to 1969. He was deployed to the 311th Field Hospital.
After the Vietnam, Dr. Ribbe was stationed at the West Point Army Hospital. In 1971, he moved his family to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was a senior staff member in the orthopedic surgery department at the Butterworth Hospital, where he stayed until he retired in 1994.
Ribbe was a member of the Christian Medical/Dental Society through which he volunteered his medical skills to treat patients at no charge in Kenya, Romania, and Taiwan. He also spent almost 20 years ministering to prisoners. He and his wife extended their personal ministry to international students from Grand Valley State University.
According to his family and those who knew him best, “he was an unwavering believer in Jesus, and unapologetically demonstrated this through his words and ongoing generosity throughout life.”
Ribbe was an active member of First Evangelical Covenant Church for 51 years. He enjoyed spending time at their cottage, fishing, reading, and studying scripture as well as traveling and spending time with family.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years June; three children, Robert Jr., Sandy Hansen, Scott and their spouses and children, and his brother John. He also leaves behind four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Paul.
