December 21, 1956 - May 8, 2006
SALEM - Michael L. Rybka, 49, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on May 8, 2006.
Born Decem
ber
21, 1956 in Eugene, Oregon, Michael moved to Salem in 1974. He worked as a
firefighter/paramedic for Marion County Fire District
1 while starting his career in the transportation field. Michael worked in the
bridge section for ODOT prior to his long-standing career with Marion County.
Michael was a Division/Operations Manager and the Deputy Director of Emergency
Management for the Marion County Department of Public Works.Michael was also President and CEO of Engineering Information Services, Inc. He and his wife, Dena Watson-Rybka, worked together doing Pavement Management Consulting throughout Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
An avid boater, Michael enjoyed spending time on the water. He also enjoyed traveling, including an annual trip he and Dena made to Cabo San Lucas and Hawaii.
Michael’s greatest passion was his children and grandchildren. He was also a big Oregon Duck football fan. A perfect day for Michael included Football, Food, Family and Friends.
Survivors include his wife, Dena Watson-Rybka; his son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Sarah Rybka of Albany; his two daughters and sons-in-law, Jessica and Brandon Koger of Silverton, and Emily and Bryan Smith of Keizer; grandchildren, Owen, Paige, Faith, Madison, Macie, Beau, Caden, and soon-to-be, Grace. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer J. Rybka; his granddaughter, Riley Rybka; and his parents, Wasyl and Louise (Bilinowich) Rybka.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Sat., May 13 at Salem First Church of the Nazarene, 1550 Market Street N.E. Reception to be announced at the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests living plants to be planted in Michael’s memory on his acreage in Macleay.