DES MOINES, Iowa — A family gathered Sunday to honor the memory of Matthew Ringgenburg, who died in a motorcycle crash in June 2025.
Friends and family commemorated what they referred to as his first “heavenly birthday” at a roadside memorial on Southwest Ninth Street near Luster Lane, the location of the fatal incident. The memorial features a checkered finish-line flag, aimed at promoting road safety and awareness among drivers.
Ringgenburg, 40, was killed on June 4, 2025, when a driver ran a stop sign, colliding with his motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Despite their loss, family and friends chose to celebrate his life, gathering at the memorial to release balloons in his honor. “That's the type of person that Matt was,” said his sister, Megan Reynolds. “He was the light in any room.”
The gathering also served to update the memorial, reinforcing a message for drivers to be cautious and share the road.
The crash is part of an ongoing court case, with the driver, Crystal Ivie, facing charges including operating while intoxicated and child endangerment. A trial date is scheduled for May.