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  OF GENUINE QUALITY
The Biography of Sterling Ralph Ryser

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By Karen Ryser Newton
 Hard Cover  6 x 9  163 pages 
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  Preface    His Beginnings   See Photos & Stories from Book    

Preface

As I review the pages of this book, I fear this record may be read as merely events in one man’s life. In the writing process I mustered my best restraint to avoid editorializing, determined to stay true to the facts, resisting the temptation to say what’s in my heart, knowing full well these events are not the man. I’m left asking myself the question, "Did I do enough to reveal the magnificent person I know so well?"

Sterling, Maxine, Ralph, Karen. Click photo for full image   

Did I capture the picture of a many faceted little child—busy and industrious even as a youngster who instigated all fun things. Who figured out how things worked, then built his own fun. Whose instinct to provide emerged as early as age ten when he singlehandedly cultivated a garden, then worked for cast-off bananas at Warsaw’s fruit stand to help his family. Did I illustrate Sterling, the young problem solver. In a depressed era when most adults were satisfied to just get by, the youngster Sterling was busy fixing the things that bothered him—installing a bathroom door lock for privacy in a world of women or raising his bike seat above sister level. Or the Sterling who was ever sensitive to his mother’s work load and did his best to relieve what he could, no doubt endearing himself to Mother. His sister confided she guessed Sterling was the favorite child. Or the mild, obedient young boy who didn’t question when instructed to walk their blind neighbor to his destination five blocks away on a regular basis. Or the proud boy who appreciated nice things and wished for nice clothes.
    Part of this fascinating mix was an element of luck. Sister Merle reports that Sterling was the lucky one. "If there was any money to be found, he’d find it." She pictures him with his eyes on the ground looking for something. In his mother’s words, "I don’t know whether he ever looks up." Good things seemed to come his way throughout his adult life was well. But one should not assume his successes were based on luck. This unrelenting worker used even holidays (like Labor Day) for pet work projects. "Not knowing how" was never a reason for holding up work. Sterling would simply investigate and teach himself the skill.
    Did I reveal the steady, dependable, careful young man who plotted his life’s course with little outside support. Who stuck with the plan, who never quit, who shunned risk taking and was always five minutes early.
    Did I paint the man of faith his sisters adore. "The brick of the family," Merle called him, "who has always been there, who never misses a weekly visit to his home bound sisters." The man I found by his bedside on his knees each night as I passed my parents’ room. Whose home and habits today reflect his spiritual depth and testimony. Whose large print scriptures lay ever open on his desk, evidence of his daily study. Who always has a spare leather bound set available to give away to whomever. Or the man of service his neighbors and friends call upon for help. Who commonly removes snow for not just his neighbor but for the whole block. Whose generosity is well known. Who privately supports missionaries and many others. Or the patriot whose house on holidays was adorned for many years with not one, but three quality embroidered flags.

    Ryser Family, 1994. Click for full image.
Seated, l-r:Whitney Ryser, Rebecca Ryser, Susan Ryser,Sterling and Maxine Ryser, Karen Ryser Newton, Lizzie Newton, Chris Newton. Standing, l-r: Stacy Ryser, Jaime Ryser, Ralph Ryser, Mark Ryser, Steve Newton, Andrea Newton, Steve Newton, Jr. (Cub), 1994.

Could I possibly have described the loving, supportive father, who cares so intensely, who give and gives and gives and gives, whom I know without batting an eye would give his life for his family. Why I was so blessed to have been born his daughter I cannot imagine, but I am indescribably grateful.
    Lest I am now accused of painting a picture of a man larger than life, too good to be true, I’ll grant you an occasional temper flare up in traffic. And yet, forty three years with this magnificent man and two years researching his life have led me to the same conclusion his sister Ruth wrote. "Of all the men in the world, Sterling is one of greatest. His life has been exemplary. Sterling Ryser is as near perfect as a man can get." Karen Ryser Newton

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His Beginnings

Parents George Peter Ryser and Hannah Ryser, 1955. Click for full image.  

 For a two-year-old in San Diego just discovering the world of his neighborhood, the Hannahs were too mysterious to resist. Visits across the street to the elderly couple were conducted in whispers, something about a graveyard shift and Mr. Hannah needing his sleep. Little Sterling was naturally drawn to such intrigue. One particular day, kindly Mrs. Hannah surprised the toddler with a banana. Thrilled to have something all his own, he ran out of the house and back across the street to report his great luck. This event became Sterling’s earliest childhood recollection. Funny what images are forever etched in a child’s mind.
    Sterling Ralph Ryser entered this world September 8, 1916, the sixth child of George Peter and Alma Johanna (Hannah) Carlson Ryser. Webster’s defines the word "sterling" as something "of genuine quality." Hopeful parents looked to the day such an honorable name would define their precious son. A home delivery, customary at the time, was officially reported to have taken place at 747 Wellington Street in Salt Lake City, Utah, unofficially at 759 Green Street (650 East 700 South). Apart from statistical information, just one detail of the event remains, George’s proclamation that "this was a good baby." How good he could not have imagined.
    Because of Sterling’s sister, LaVern’s fragile health, doctors recommended a warmer climate at lower altitude. The Ryser’s moved their family of six to San Diego, California in 1917 where they remained until 1920. George wrote in his history, "The children enjoyed the climate and the garden with its sweet potatoes and peanuts as well as the flowers...In time the children got home sick. There were no children in our neighborhood to play with and they wanted to return home to Utah." Soon they found a home to rent on the southwest corner of Major Street and 1700 South in Salt Lake City. Father Ryser secured work at the J. G. McDonald’s Candy Company, first as bookkeeper and later as their correspondent and purchasing agent.
    By and by, the young family found themselves transferring their belongings across the street to 1719 Major Street, their first real home, a sprawling place with large empty rooms. Sterling was assigned to bunk upstairs with his older brother Ken. Their room was situated in the northwest corner and included two special features, a light bulb and solar heating (via two small windows). As you’d imagine, the yard was the main attraction for the little boy. The alleys, irrigation ditches, and a deserted shed made for top notch exploring.
    The house was not connected to a central sewer, that came years later. It had its own sanitary system and all solid and water waste ended up in a cesspool in the back yard. A cesspool is a large hole in the ground covered with wooden planks which were then covered by earth. The wastes were emptied into this underground pool where its solids gradually broke down. The liquids were absorbed into the ground. Each home had such a system. Over the years, the wooden planks weakened by rot would require replacement. Shortly before the following incident, the city installed a sewer line on his street and their home was connected to the modern system. The cesspool was forgotten. One day, Sterling was playing in the back yard and suddenly the earth gave way and he seemed swallowed up waist deep by the earth, the abandoned cesspool, which still contained some waste products. He was amazingly uninjured, but scared enough to run crying to his mother. "The lucky one" as she often called him had once again made good his reputation, but he was required to bathe thoroughly!  

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Epilogue

If, by reading this account of my life by my daughter, Karen, you are left with the impression that my life has always been rosy and without challenges, trials, difficult problems, making serious mistakes, and committing grievous errors; please let me dispel that notion. It is true, I have been lucky and blessed of the Lord beyond measure, for which I am deeply and eternally grateful. It is equally true that my life has been far from perfect. I have faced desperate challenges and problems and committed more than my share of sins of omission and commission. Fear, depression, and near despair have not been strangers to me. Because of adversities, trials, and struggles, I have been strengthened, as well as, humbled and learned much of life and living.
    Much credit for any successes I may have achieved in life is due my beautiful and wonderful wife. She has always been very supportive, patient, and understanding of my efforts, in and out of the home. Our love is deep and eternal. Her perpetual positive, optimistic, and cheerful outlook on life is a rare gift she has shared with her family all her life. Without these admirable qualities, life for both of us would be much less enjoyable and rewarding.
    Our children are our greatest achievements in life. They are completely wonderful, as are our grandchildren. True love is the strongest force in the world, and our love for our family knows no bounds. Their love and concern for us continues to be a wonderful blessing in our later years. Some of our greatest treasures are letters, notes, cards, and expressions of love and appreciation they have shared with us through the years. Their willingness to unselfishly and freely share their lives with us is a great source of pleasure and comfort to us. The knowledge of their love and concern gives us a tremendous sense of security and comfort.

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