With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Darwin Allan Ripley, who left this world at 71. His departure has and will continue to leave a void in the lives of all who knew him, as he was a man who touched the lives of many with his unique blend of quirkiness, wit, and wisdom.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00pm Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church with Funeral Services at 2:00pm.

Click HERE to watch Darwin’s service.

Darwin Allan Ripley was born in Pierre on June 21, 1952, to Delmar and Deloris (Weischedel) Ripley. He attended Sully Buttes Schools in Onida, SD, graduating in 1970. He later moved to Pierre, where he met and married Virginia (Jochim) from Lantry, SD, on August 16, 1975. He was a mechanic at Harding Motors, now Capital City Ford Toyota. He later worked and retired as a large equipment mechanic for the South Dakota Department of Transportation, Region Office. All who knew him understood that retirement would not slow him down, which is why you could later see him at Butler Machinery and, most recently, Sharpe Enterprises. When he was not at one of these jobs, he was found working at his own shop on anything that needed to be repaired, ranging from tractors to motorcycles to a homemade building heater. He was most recently working on a riding lawn mower with his grandson Lincoln. For many years, he was a member of the South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police and the Prairie Chickens Motorcycle Club and enjoyed his time out with friends prairie dog hunting. In addition, while still in operation, Darwin spent weekends at Oahe Speedway with either his own vehicles on the track or helping his grandkids race to championships.

Darwin is survived by his wife, Virginia, Alicia (Dustin) Schoenhard, Brett (McKenna) Ripley, and adoring grandchildren – RhyAnna (18), Lincoln (15), and Olivia (10) Schoenhard, and Ellie (10) and Asher (7) Ripley – who all meant the world to him. Darwin’s eyes filled with pride and joy whenever his grandchildren surrounded him. Whether cradling them on his lap as babies or cheering them on at their events across the state, he did so with unconditional support and love.

Beneath the brim of his cap and behind the stoic mustache lay wisdom shared with so many. While his expertise came from many years of experience and tinkering, he was also unafraid to learn. His children remember the countless hours he spent flipping through ancient Mitchell Manuals and National Service Manuals, but most recently, Googling YouTube tutorials to keep up with advancing technology. He had hands that were skilled and capable, the kind that could seemingly fix anything that needed repair or construct a solution to any problem. He always readily extended a helping hand to those in need, often prioritizing others before himself and his family. Some might say he lived on borrowed time as he continued to fight on after every illness or event that tried to set him back; he fought, worked, and gave to others until his final days before returning home to our Heavenly Father.

All who knew him learned that he was a genuine conversationalist, able to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, and at any time. His stories will be remembered by those who listened and became his friends. While some of his tall tales may have needed a fact-check, there was always some truth in them; nonetheless, he made us laugh as he laughed with us.

Darwin is also survived by his brother Doug (Kathy), Barry (Eva), Merlin (Kim), Tom Ripley, Mark Jochim (Twyla Reede), and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Delmar and Deloris.

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