E. Ronald Rifenburg

E. Ronald Rifenburg, 92, of Hurley NY, passed away on Sunday, January 29^th 2023. Ronald was born on September 25^th 1930 to the late Clifford and Elta Rifenburg and grew up on Fairveiw Avenue in Kingston, NY. He graduated from Kingston High School in 1948 and attended the IBM apprentice program for three years. He worked for IBM for 36 years before retiring.

He was a devoted husband for 64 years to his late wife, Shirley Rifenburg, and a wonderful father and son. He loved history, music, blacksmithing, dancing, and any colonial crafting. He spent many hours in his blacksmith shop which brought him great joy. He was a longtime member of the 3^rd Ulster Militia, an early American re-enactment group. In years past he was very active in Hurley Heritage Society and was instrumental in the creation of the Hurley Museum. He served on the consistory of Old Dutch Church and was a member there for many years. He built and played steel guitars for many years and played in several bands.

He is survived by his children, Marie Webster and her husband John Webster of Saugerties, Richard Rifenburg of Pleasant Valley, Cindy Rifenburg and her husband Duffy Weber of Danielsville, PA, nine grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother C. Robert Rifenburg of Woodstock, NY, and his brother in-law, Gordon Fung of North Carolina, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Services are entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, 326 Albany Avenue Kingston, NY, 12401 where family and friends may visit on Saturday February 11, 2023 from 10am to 12pm. The funeral service will take place at 12pm at the funeral home with burial following in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Saugerties, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to the Old Dutch Church. 272 Wall St., Kingston, NY 12401 or Hurley Heritage Society P.O. Box 1661, Hurley, NY, 12443. A tribute for Ronald can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com  where you may leave expressions of sympathy for his family.