July 28, 2003
David K. Ringstrom, an award-winning Seattle landscape architect who designed large- and small-scale projects, died Tuesday in a traffic accident.
Ringstrom
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He was 49 and had planned a large 50th birthday party for himself last Saturday. Friends and family from around the country were in Seattle to attend.
Ringstrom was a partner in the firm Atelier Landscape Architects, where he worked on projects such as Founders Court at Seattle Center, Soundview Park in Seattle and Mendenhall Glacier Campground in Alaska.
"Dave's passing is quite a loss for his friends and family, but also for the Northwest design community," said Alex Shkerich, a partner at Atelier. "Dave was a collaborator and a contributor. On projects of all levels he will really be missed. People really enjoyed working with Dave. His spirit rubbed off on people."
Ringstrom was born in 1953 in Ukiah, Calif. He graduated from University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture. After graduating in 1977, he moved to the Bay Area and worked for the landscape firm Fong and LaRocca.
Two years later, he returned to Seattle, working for Jongejan Gerrard McNeal. That's where his path crossed with Shkerich and Larry Smart. The three formed Atelier Landscape Architects in 1989.
Smart said Ringstrom's interests spanned a broad range of civic and private work, from large scale projects to intimate gardens. "The projects he loved were as diverse as his interests," he said. "It's hard to associate him with one project type. He pursued everything with a special passion."
His recently completed work on the 12-acre Soundview Park near Whitman Middle School was a "reflection of his spirit," Smart said. The $425,000 project involved a sensitive site, worried neighbors and security issues. "He had the spirit where he could patiently listen and craft solutions that made everyone happy, as well as himself, and he set very high standards."
Ringstrom was also creative in finding ways to recycle materials on the site, such as using concrete from an old sidewalk to build a new wall. Smart said city staffers have told him that Ringstrom's sustainable site design on that project set a new standard in Seattle parks development.
"He was motivated to make projects better than anticipated or expected," said Shkerich. "He brought out the best in people he dealt with."
Ringstrom was a past president of the Washington chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects, and also participated in reviews of the state landscape architects' licensing exam. His pro bono work included site development work at McClure Middle School.
He is survived by his parents, Fred and Jean Ringstrom of Mercer Island, and his partner of 10 years, Ted Bash.
Memorial services are planned for this week. For details on the time and place, call (206) 322-0672.
