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Major Edward Ringle was promoted to Glory Feb. 2 from his home in Escondido, Calif.
Ringle was born Sept. 18, 1928, in Loma Linda, Calif., and grew up in nearby Riverside.
When Ringle was 8, music began to take a central role in his life when he accompanied his sister, Della, to a Salvation Army junior band practice. Although Ringle was too young to join the band, the bandleader handed him a “leftover” horn. He was hooked.
In 1946, Ringle entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training (SFOT) and was commissioned as a probationary lieutenant with the Warriors Session in 1947.
After serving a few years in the Cascade Division, he met Lt. Ruth Bass, whom he married in 1952.
The Ringles served together for 38 years in appointments that included the Cascade, Northwest, Alaska, Southern California, and Intermountain divisions. Additionally, they served in British Honduras—now Belize—Bolivia, and Chile. After 22 years of missionary service, they returned to the SFOT to develop a new Spanish track.
Even though Ringle retired in 1990, he still devoted much of his time to The Salvation Army. And his love for music continued. He would purchase instruments in thrift stores to fix up and give to youth both here and overseas. He also taught Spanish and music in Colorado.
Retired General John Larsson wrote a tribute about his friend Ringle.
“Since we first met, I have been one of his great admirers. His creativity, capacity for hard and detailed work, and his total and sacrificial dedication to the task were astounding.”
Ringle is survived by his wife, Ruth; children Sarah Elena, Kala, Benson, Jon and Raoul; and many grandchildren.
The Salvation Army Riverside Corps held a Celebration of Life service for Ringle on Feb. 6. Major Rick Peacock, corps officer with his wife Margaret, officiated and Lt. Colonel Doug Danielson, Southwest divisional commander, brought the message.
Major Eleanor Henderson was promoted to Glory on Feb. 6 from Laguna Woods, Calif.
Eleanor Foubister was born Oct. 8, 1922, to Salvation Army officers. She had a beautiful voice and trained to be a professional singer. In 1946, she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Arizona, prior to entering The Salvation Army School for Officer Training in 1947. Graduating with the Warriors Session, she took her first appointment at the Oakland (Calif.) Women’s Home and Hospital.
Foubister married Lt. Edwin Henderson in 1949. Together they served as corps officers at San Diego Temple, Riverside, and Richmond, Calif., and Tucson, Ariz.
The Hendersons also served at Western Territorial Headquarters in the Service Extension department, Northwest Divisional Headquarters (DHQ) in the Youth department, and Southern California DHQ in the Youth and Women’s Services departments.
Henderson spent the last 12 years of her career as director of special services at the Men’s Social Service Department—currently the Adult Rehabilitation Center.
Henderson was a faithful member of the Santa Ana and Tustin Ranch (Calif.) corps for almost 34 years, serving as the unofficial corps greeter.
The Tustin Ranch Corps held a memorial service for Henderson on Feb. 20 with Commissioner Joe Noland officiating.
Surviving Henderson are her husband of nearly 62 years, Major Edwin Henderson; her daughter, Sandra; her sons, Edwin and Jon; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
