John K. Ryckman

1927 - 2015

John Ryckman was born in Detroit in 1927 and served in the United States Army. After his discharge in 1946, he moved to San Francisco and worked for Kidder Peabody. John was always active in San Francisco Democratic Party politics and in the 1950s worked for Stevenson for President, the re-election campaigns for Governor Pat Brown, as well other party nominees. In the 1970s he worked for William Matson Roth and Harvey Milk. As a businessman in the 1960s, Ryckman and his partner established The Orange Tree restaurants, a breakfast and lunch emporium popular with commuters. In its heyday, there were three Orange Trees serving wholesome food and blender drinks, what we would now call “smoothies.” After selling the business, John moved to Rome, Italy. In the 1970s he worked for Crocker Bank in San Francisco as a trust officer. In 1979, he married Mary Tarbell. Lovers of opera and good music, the Ryckmans continued to live in San Francisco. No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the San Francisco Opera.