Brother Henry J. Ringkamp, S.M. was the principal of Assumption High School in East St. Louis from 1960 to 1969. Assumption was an all-boys Catholic school, and Brother Ringkamp ran it with unsmiling discipline and integrity. While certainly there was always an outstanding lay and religious facility, in every sense, Brother Ringkamp was the stern face of Assumption. He spoke often of the “Assumption Man” - that mound of clay who after four years of tough love from the brothers of Mary would go out into the world and be the “seedbed of change, the instigator of innovation, the critic of old ways and the mapper of new paths unchartered.” An Assumption Man had faith, courage and above all else, loyalty.
The loyalty of Assumption Men was on display Saturday, June 3, at St. Michael’s Church in rural Waterloo. Jack Levy – Assumption class of 1969 - was given a memorial service following his death on May 23, 2023. At first, the family wished to only have a very private ceremony, but bending to public will, changed at the last minute. Despite the late and sparse notice, the beautiful but small church was filled to standing room only. In attendance were at least two dozen of Jack’s fellow ’69 graduates. Limping from arthritis, straining to hear in the noise, and changing glasses with every reading, the men of ‘69 were there because he was our brother - on the football field, in the classroom, in our hearts and souls. A fitting farewell could only be accomplished in person.
The East St. Louis connection was patient and persuasive. The priest asked by show of hands how many were from East St. Louis. More than half the room obliged. The gathering belonged to those who attended a school that no longer exists, in a town surviving only in memory. Warm remembrances delivered by the celebrant, personal stories of the Levy family living across the alley, ending with a heartfelt and eloquent eulogy by fellow ’69 grad Dr. Frank Pikul.
Jack was appropriately and squarely put to rest.
After 35 years of service, Assumption closed in 1989. The Assumption Men are largely scattered to the four winds. But when the need arises, the bond returns and we come together. We draw off the lessons taught; examples delivered by Brother Henry as he walked silently through the halls. Brother Henry left Assumption in 1969, no doubt assured that this year’s class could not and would not be topped. He died in 1989, the same year the school closed. You might say he passed away along with the school to which he gave so much. On behalf of our class of 1969, we say thank you Brother Henry – thank you for instilling values that did indeed carry forth for a lifetime.
It was well and good that one of the songs last Saturday was “Be not Afraid.” All of us Assumption men have walked the long roads these past 50 plus years, sometimes smooth, sometimes rocky. The lessons learned as brother pioneers allowed us to carry forward, unbent and unbroken. It is the correct mantra to go forth...Be not afraid.