William E. Ribelin

Bill was born in Oxnard, California and grew up in in Riverside California. In following his early interest in things biological he earned a degree in veterinary medicine at Iowa State University, a master’s degree in veterinary pathology at Washington State, and PhD, in pathology from the University of Wisconsin. Interspersed within that period was a 3-year stint in the infantry in World War II and a 2-year stint in Holland as a researcher for the U.S.D.A. His first love was teaching, and he spent his early career teaching pathology at Washington State, Auburn, and the University of Wisconsin where he taught pathology in both the college of agriculture and in the school of medicine. In the process of this he edited two books on animal pathology and authored several journal papers. His side interest in sharks led him onto numerous talks on shark biology to various groups. He then veered into the field of toxicology wherein he served as senior pathologist in the toxicology laboratories of the U.S.D.A., the American Cyanamid Company, and the Monsanto Company. Bill had long been concerned with the proper use of animals in biological research. In this vein he was a lifelong member of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, was a founding member of the Northern California chapter of that organization and was the founder and first director of the Research Animals Resources Center of the University of Wisconsin. This interest continued following retirement and he became a cofounder of The Friends of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Bill and his wife Frankie retired to Gulf Shores in 1994 and joined the First Presbyterian Church shortly thereafter. He had been an elder in Madison, WI and continued as an active member of the church and choir in Gulf Shores. He enjoyed a mediocre golf game, slightly better fishing, and outstanding roses which graced the dinner tables of many of the church wives. In 2016, they moved to Westminster Village in Spanish Fort AL. Bill is survived by his son Robert Ribelin, (Claudia), stepson’s Wayne Rayfield Jr. (Tammy), Walter Rayfield. Grandchildren Brittanie Rayfield-Sweaney (Kyle), Michael Hartman, (Andrew), Stephanie Peck (Noah), Mitchel Rayfield (Tessa), Kassandra Rayfield. His great grandchildren Caleb, Jade, Rhett, and Mazie Ray. He is preceded in death by his wife, Frankie.