Ivan "Papa" Rybin, 93, of Richmond Hill, passed away Tuesday, April 03, 2018, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah.  Our Papa died surrounded by loving family and the caring professionals of St. Joseph's 5 North.  Papa was born on September 11, 1924, in Lipetsk, USSR, the son of Sergey and Marina Rybin.

Papa had a very interesting life.  As a young child, he and his family were exiled to outer Mongolia because his grandfather was a colonel in the Tsarist army.  After a long journey and a name change (that's right, Papa wasn't born a Rybin) his family made it back to the USSR. During World War Two Papa worked in the factories alongside German POWs. Due to the war, he only completed 8 ^th grade, but don't think he didn't know anything.  Even a few years ago he could give you a lesson about sin, co-sin, and tangent.  Through hard work he become the concierge at the only hotel for Westerners in Moscow. Papa immigrated to the United States after the fall of Communism and was so proud to be an American citizen.  After 2001, he was always saddened to have his birthday on September 11 ^th .

Papa's greatest joy was his family.  He married our Mama, Valentina Rybin, in 1951.  Together they raised 13 children through the years of Communism.  Our Papa was a kind, humble and gentle man.  We will always remember these attributes along with his strength.  He showed his strength to the very end.  Our children and their children could always depend on our Papa (their Dedushka) to give them a smile and more candy than they ever needed.  He is survived by his sons Sergey (Tatiana), Arkadiy (Zinaida), Alexander (Yelena), Valeriy (Anna), Andrey (Yelena), Alexei, Yevgeniy (Irina), and Anatoly; daughters Lidiya Rybin, Natalia (John) Blanchard, Nadya (Brian) Purtell, and Lilia (Bill) Butler.  He is further survived by 40 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and other relatives in Russia.

Papa was preceded in death by his parents, our mother and a son, Vasiliy.  He was the last member of his immediate family.

The family will hold 3:00 graveside service on Friday at the Daniel Baptist Cemetery.  Richmond Hill Funeral Home of Richmond Hill is serving the family.  We were blessed to have a father to teach and be an example to us. We ask that in lieu of flowers you contribute to Xcel Mentoring, an organization that teaches young men lacking a father figure trade and life skills.  You can contribute online at www.xceltoday.com or by mail to Xcel Mentoring, 4611 Atlantic Avenue, Savannah, GA 31405.