Rest in Peace - Burdette Ringquist - Calvin Coolidge Teacher and Principal

 Burdette Ringquist, Facebook Page

Burdette L. 'Burt' Ringquist Jul 12, 2019.

Burdette L. “Burt” Ringquist July 20, 1934 - July 10, 2019 LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. —

Burdette L. “Burt” Ringquist, 84, of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., formerly of Moline, well-known Moline educator, died Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Poet's Walk Assisted Living, Sarasota, Fla. Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church, 1201 13th Street, Moline.

Burial is in Riverside Cemetery, Moline. Burt's family will greet friends at a funeral luncheon at the church following the burial. Trimble Funeral Home, Moline, is serving the family.

Burdette Leigh Ringquist was born July 20, 1934, in Moline, to John Wesley and Helen (Anderson) Ringquist.

He married Virginia Daniels on Jan. 31, 1954, in Moline. Burt graduated from Moline High School, Black Hawk College and Augustana College, and received his master's degree from Western Illinois University. He was an educator with the Moline and Quincy School Districts for many years. He retired as Principal of John Deere Middle School in 1996. He was previously an Administrator at Moline Senior High School and Principal at Coolidge Junior High School.

While in Quincy, Ill., he worked as Principal of Quincy Middle School and Quincy High School.

Burt was a member of Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church, Moline, where he was actively involved for many years, and he is a current member of Harvest United Methodist Church in Lakewood Ranch. An active civic leader, he was vice president of the Moline Board of Education, president of the Moline School Foundation and Junior Achievement, a board member for Chaddock Home in Quincy, president of the Moline DARE board, and a Stephen Minister.

He was instrumental in developing the Middle School concept in Moline schools, and was a consultant for the National Association of Secondary School Principals for the team concept of teaching. Family was important to him, and he enjoyed reading, traveling and genealogy.

Burt was a sports enthusiast and loved the Boston Red Sox. Burt is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia; four children and spouses, Kirk and Sissy Ringquist, of Nikiski, Alaska, Karen Ringquist, of Schaumburg, Ill., Kent and Pam Ringquist, of Lakewood Ranch, and Kyle Ringquist, of Provincetown, Mass.; seven grandchildren, Kelsie, Logan, Nash, Alexis, Nolan and Cole Ringquist and Matthew Karriem; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Delbert and Bruce Ringquist. Burt's family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.

 Mr. Ringquist, left, was always ready to do something fun with his fellow teachers. His class in civics was epic.

PS - I teach teachers at a university, so the question is often asked, "What was your favorite teacher like?" I had many favorites in the Moline system, from Kindergarten through graduation.

Mr. Ringquist was at the top of the list. He was always smiling, giving away his enjoyment of teaching. We had him for the required civics class at Coolidge, hardly an exciting topic.

The lessons must have stuck. I had to advise friends in 2016 that we were not voting for the president but for the electors who would decide the election.

I remember how he divided the class into rival factions and had us run a campaign, voting for a slate of politicians - us. We had to persuade him that our side was better than the other one. He challenged us to be creative, and we had a great time.

He had a great time, always smiling in class. I doubt whether any other teacher smiled so easily or so often.

Gregory L. Jackson