James 'Jim' Ryckman

TRAVERSE CITY — James Richard "Jim" Ryckman, 76, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday, March 7, 2011, at Cherry Hill Haven AFC in Traverse City.Jim was born May 21, 1934, in Honor, to Foster Allen and Marion Ann (Dana) Ryckman. Jim graduated from Traverse City High School in 1952, and received a BS in Biology and Mathematics from University of Michigan. He married Alice Patricia "Pat" Wise in 1956, and they lived together in Milan until they relocated back home to Traverse City.Jim was a Bio-Mathematician for the State of Michigan's DNR in the Fisheries Division at Museum Annex on the U-M campus. From there he traveled the state doing statistical analysis for fish populations.His interests included his family, friends, gardening, holidays, festivals, dog sledding, and U-M football, along with playing Rummy. Jim could be seen video-taping his family in sports activities, festivals and family events. Jim had the gift of stories and loved telling tales of his family and friends in Traverse City, and his beloved village of Old Mission, where generations of his family farmed.Jim is survived by his wife, Pat; four children, Katherine Lynn Bowers, of Mayfield, Dana James (Wilma Begley) Ryckman, of Milan, Suzanne Elaine (Christopher) Bouchey, of Old Mission, and Holly Louise (Michael) Couturier, of Old Mission; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and his Aunt Rose (Petrone) Dana.Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Foster (1959) and Marion Ryckman (1978); his sister, Maxine Ryckman (1979); his aunt, Evelyn Covey (1984); his aunt, Martha Dana (2005); his uncle, Richard Dana (2005).Visitation will be Thursday, March 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 11, with visitation one hour prior to the service at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Burial will be held in the springtime at Ogdensburg Cemetery on Old Mission Peninsula.Memorials may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society or the Father Fred Foundation.Please share thoughts with the family at Jim's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.