Eugene Ringhand, who worked 42 years at the (Eau Claire) Leader-Telegram, including 12 as editor, died Monday, Dec. 3. He was 82.
Ringhand earned his journalism degree from Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire, now known as UW-Eau Claire. He was a sports and special assignment reporter for the Leader-Telegram from 1957 to 1959, before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1960.
Following his discharge, Ringhand took a job at the Spring Valley Sun before returning to the Leader-Telegram. During his more than four decades at the newspaper, Ringhand served as city editor and managing editor before taking over as editor for the final 12 years of his career.
Ringhand retired in 1999 and was honored the following year by the Wisconsin Associated Press Editors Association for his work.
While working as a sports reporter, Ringhand met his future wife, Joan Marie Whelihan. The couple married on Oct. 7, 1960, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Together they had three children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta, Wis. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home.
