On any night, if somebody in the LaFollette smoker's area was strumming a guitar, playing a harmonica or laughing with a group of friends, it was probably Garrison Ringenberg.
Ringenberg's love for politics, deep thinking and radical theories made those who knew him become close to him, Joe Alonji, a close friend of Ringenberg's, said.
"Garrison was that type of person everyone had to meet once," Alonji said. "You had to meet him to understand him."
Tony Proudfoot, associate vice president for marketing and communications, said Ringenberg was found dead Saturday night in his Clevenger residence hall room. Proudfoot said university police responded about 7:10 p.m. Saturday night and do not suspect foul play. Cause of death had not been confirmed as of Sunday night.
According to an e-mail sent out to Clevenger residents, individuals from the counseling center were on available from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday evening in the hall to assist any students who wanted to talk about the death. Once Ball State is able to confirm with the Ringenberg family any plans regarding a memorial or funeral, they will be passed along, according to the e-mail.
"The university is saddened by the loss and extends it deepest sympathies to the family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them," Proudfoot said.
Ringenberg didn't know what he wanted to focus on in college, Alonji said, because his interests spanned many areas.
Ringenberg was a proud Ron Paul supporter and considered himself a Libertarian, Alonji said, because Ron Paul 'didn't play the game'. As the election season advanced, Ringenberg started to back Republican nominee John McCain, Alonji said, and was not satisfied with the result on Election Day.
When he wasn't thinking about politics, a discussion about alternate historical time lines, a rant about communist governments or thoughts about his own theories filled his mind, friend Omari Dillon said.
"He was just so smart and he knew something about everything," Dillon said. "The best times were sitting talking about nothing and yet still talking about everything."
Alonji said he remembered times Ringenberg would start a discussion about whatever was on his mind and he would become engrossed in whatever was in his head.
"He'd get to thinking and you'd have to bring him back to reality," Alonji said. "He'd get on one of his theories and I'd have to be like 'Garrison, come back to the pool table and let's play."
Alonji said Ringenberg loved randomness and adventure. He said many times Ringenberg would want to go to the Munice Mall or Wal-mart for no reason other than going. He would get on the MITS bus downtown and decide it was a good idea to walk around downtown to see what was there, Alonji said, "so, we just went and enjoyed it."
Ringenberg has had his own sense of style and way to live life, Dillon said,
"You could never forget anything about him," Dillon said. "Any memory - the best and the worst - was just Garrison."
Alonji said Ringenberg had a long term goal of being a hedge fund manager, but had the potential to do many things.
"I'm really glad I met him, but I wish he wouldn't have gone so soon," Alonji said.
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