Oxford, Ohio, June 24, 2009 — Former Oxford Cup Honoree Richard O. Ristine, Wabash '41, died Saturday at his home in Leland, Mich., after a brief illness. He was 89. Brother Ristine served one term as Indiana's lieutenant governor and cast the deciding vote that established the state's sales tax in 1963.

Senator Ricgard G. Lugar, Denison '54 called Ristine "a remarkable Indiana leader." He added, "My phone conversation last week with Dick and his wife Lou, brought back many memories of our times together at political gatherings, on the campus of Wabash College, at Beta Theta Pi fraternal activities and community events in Crawfordsville. He was always ready to take on leadership duties as he did in the 1980s chairing the Lugar Merit Judicial Selection Commission."

Ristine earned a law degree from Columbia University before serving with the Army Air Corps during World War II in the Philippines and Japan. After the war, he began his legal career with the Baker & Daniels law firm in Indianapolis, and then moved his family to Crawfordsville to practice law there.

In 1950, Ristine was elected to the Indiana State Senate, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and great-great grandfather, who had both served in the General Assembly. Ristine was elected Indiana's lieutenant governor in 1960, serving from 1961-65 alongside Gov. Matthew E. Welsh, a Democrat.

Ristine is survived by Lou, his wife of 62 years; their three sons, Richard O. Jr. (Karen) and Thomas H. (Jill) of Indianapolis and James D. (Mardi Black) of Leelanau Township; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial celebration will be held at the Leland Lodge on June 27, 2009, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.. Memorial contributions may be made to Wabash College or to Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church, both of Crawfordsville, Indiana, or to the Leelanau Conservancy, the Leelaau Children’s Center or Share Care of Leelanau County, all of Leland, Michigan.

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For more information, visit:

http://www.wabash.edu/news/displaystory.cfm?news_ID=7125