Carleton Ryffel

Carleton Ryffel

Carleton John Ryffel, 66, of Fort Myers Beach, died on July 14, 2011 at his residence under the care of Hope Hospice. He was born to Henry and Fay (Giaquinto) Ryffel on Aug. 19, 1944 in New York, N.Y.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and his Master of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning, both from Florida State University. Carleton has more than 36 years of experience in all aspects of planning for both the public and private sectors. He also served in the United States Air Force.

In the private sector, he owned his own firm for 17 years. He used his expertise in planning, zoning and designing on more than 400 development projects and presenting land use amendments. In the public sector, he was the Planning Director for Sanibel Island, Princeton, N.J. and Cape Coral. He was also the Environmental Planner and Zoning Administrator for the City of Gainesville, Fla. Recently, he was the owner of Van Buskirk, Ryffel and Associates, Inc. along with Paul Van Buskirk.

Carleton was a charter member of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners. Also, he was the Chairman of the Lee County Local Planning Agency, Lee County Land Development Code Advisory Committee for over 20 years and a member of the Town of Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency.

He is survived by his children, Jennifer L. (Bryan) Matamoros of Fort Myers, Amy F. (Jay) Kragh of Ocala, Fla. and Eric C. Ryffel of Lehigh Acres, his parents, Henry and Fay Ryffel of Hilton Head, S.C., his sister, Carolyn Procopio of Mahwah, N.J., his granddaughter, Stephanie L. Ryffel of Fort Myers, an unborn granddaughter of Ocala, Fla. and his nephew, Jon Michael Procopio of Mahwah, N.J.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, July 24 beginning at noon at Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent in his memory to Hope Hospice. Friends may sign the guest book at www.horizonfunerals.com.