Charles Darrell Rybloom

Darrell Rybloom was born in 1941 and grew up on his family’s
farm in south Salem. In the summer of 1957, he met his sweetheart, Penny
Ferry. Both graduated from South Salem High School in 1959. The two
married in 1963 and raised 3 children in their SE Salem home. Penny and
Darrell remained together until Darrell’s passing on March 29, 2023.

During high school, Darrell began work at Erickson’s Market on S. Com-
mercial St. There, he developed his knack for the grocery business. Darrell

met and befriended his eventual business partner at Erickson’s and would
move on to become the Executive Vice President and General Manager of
Roth’s IGA Foodliner. Darrell served in that capacity for 36 years and had a
special interest in not just leadership, but mentoring and training the people
that were the backbone of the company. When he wasn’t maintaining his
amazing work ethic, six days a week, Darrell made time for his family and
his hobbies. When the kids were young, they spent many weekends in their
beach cabin at Pacific City. Dory boat fishing in “Small Fry” and driving
the old yellow Jeep “Bloomer” on the sand dunes were keen interests. Later,
the family found themselves on the ski slopes and at a Sunriver vacation
home. Darrell took up flying and eventually earned his instrument rating,
twin-engine rating, and helicopter license. Darrell found great passion in
all his endeavors. He loved to ski and taught all three of the kids. Darrell
was one to focus on the details and always appreciated keeping his yard ‘just
right,’ and is said to have the cleanest driveway in town. It was this level of
attention that made Darrell such a reputed boss. But it was his sense of caring
and devotion to his people that made him an even more respected leader,
mentor, and go-to community contact. It seems all of Roth’s customers
knew Darrell! Darrell was a little league baseball manager/sponsor, an avid
golfer, and loved the sound and feel of powerful machinery. He tinkered
with the trucks, cars, and tractors at the family farm into his 70’s. Darrell
was a Harley Rider and spent years as a ride coordinator with his HOG
Chapter. Community and “paying the rent’ were also important to Darrell.
He spent many years on the board of the Salvation Army and when he and
Penny retired to Arizona, he became the president of the Sun Lakes HOA.
Darrell is survived by his wife of sixty years, Penny; their three children
Wendy, Darin, and Brian; two grandkids, Jacob and Lindy; and countless
other friends and relatives who now are full of sorrow at the passing of this
great man. Rest easy Sky-Pilot, Road-Captain, Dad, Papa, Uncle, and Friend.
We’ll get the double-bagging from here! A private service with the family
will take place at a later date .