Roy E. Ryscamp, Jr., 83, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at his home in Jacksonville, FL, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 21, 1938, in Chicago, IL to Roy E. and Esther (Jennings) Ryscamp, Sr.
He spent his boyhood between freely exploring the city he loved and hunting in the countryside in and around Galesburg, IL, what he called his “Huckleberry Finn” days. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Artillery Branch in Germany where he graduated from the NCO Academy in Munich as staff sergeant two years later at the age of 19. It was here that he also began his lifelong love of traveling, especially to Europe and to Germany in particular.
After three years of active military duty he returned to the States where he met the love of his life, his future wife, Patricia Hasier. They married in 1960, the same year he began his career at UPS. He started as a delivery driver and was promoted to management. In the early years of the company’s international expansion, he took part in the opening of facilities in Germany and later in Austria. Back in the States, prior to retirement, he worked to promote issues integral to the company’s success through state legislatures, often hosting, along with his wife, political events; and working with and on boards for the trucking industry.
He had many passions in life, including his love of art. He was a largely self-taught and skillful sketch artist and painter, and enjoyed doing and sharing works that depicted items important to others. In retirement, he gave of himself wherever and however he could, including volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and Blessings in a Backpack. As he did throughout his life, he developed a community of friends that he treasured dearly.
He asked that it be made known how much he loved his wife, Pat, and all his family. He was extremely proud of his sons James and Jeffrey, and daughter, Jodette. That love and pride extended to their families, children and grandchildren. It was because of them that he considered himself extremely fortunate and blessed.
Roy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pat; son, Jim (Kitty) Ryscamp; daughter, Jodi Holsapple; daughter-in-law, Diane; grandchildren: Kayla (Justin) Smith, Amber (Kyle) Silva, Megan Holsapple, and Dean “DJ” Holsapple, Jr.; great grandchildren Tyler, Denver, Parker, Daniel, Noah, and Jonathan, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and good friends. He is predeceased by his son, Jeffrey Ryscamp; and grandsons, Nicholas and Timothy Ryscamp.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach, FL, from 6-8 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Jacksonville Beach, FL at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. Final burial with Military Rites will be held on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Augustine, IL. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremations Services Abingdon Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.
