Jeremy S
Hero Member
- Feb 27, 2012
- 515
- 343
- 🏆 Honorable Mentions:
- 3
- Detector(s) used
- Garret Ace 250, AT Pro, Garret Pro Pointer
- Primary Interest:
- Metal Detecting
Two weeks ago I started my Sunday morning off as usual by hunting a large city park that has produced some nice rings in the past. I was getting ready to leave to meet up with another fellow to hunt elsewhere when my coil passed over a solid target. My AT Pro was showing a solid 47. The sprinkler heads at this park also show a solid 47, but this object pin pointed like something much smaller than a sprinkler head. Out of the ground comes a large ring which I could tell was a high school class ring.
Luckily the ring had a full named engraved on the inside. Unfortunately when I searched for the name online I found an obituary where the name matched exactly and the age was correct for someone who would have graduated in 2003. I posted a picture of this ring on a Facebook metal detecting group and immediately a fellow by the name of Dan offered to help me search public records to locate the family. We were able to locate the parent's home address but no phone number or email. I confirmed on my city GIS program that the parents still owned the home at that address. So I typed up a letter with a picture of the ring (only showing the side with the name) and asked if they though that this ring may have belonged to their son. I also asked if they did think it was his, to email me confirming the high school and graduation date, and I would be glad to return it to the family.
A few days went by and Dave Sr. (the father) sent me an email confirming that this ring did formerly belong to their son. I met up with them this morning to give it back. The mother was quite emotional as her son had passed away two years ago this month. They offered me some money as a reward for finding it, which I thankful for but declined. The good feeling of returning the ring to the family is worth far more than money to me.
This is my third ring return, and my first high school class ring return and hopefully I'll have this opportunity to return many more in the future.
Before I gave the ring back I cleaned it up real nice. Here are a few pictures of the ring and the parent's, and the former owner.
Luckily the ring had a full named engraved on the inside. Unfortunately when I searched for the name online I found an obituary where the name matched exactly and the age was correct for someone who would have graduated in 2003. I posted a picture of this ring on a Facebook metal detecting group and immediately a fellow by the name of Dan offered to help me search public records to locate the family. We were able to locate the parent's home address but no phone number or email. I confirmed on my city GIS program that the parents still owned the home at that address. So I typed up a letter with a picture of the ring (only showing the side with the name) and asked if they though that this ring may have belonged to their son. I also asked if they did think it was his, to email me confirming the high school and graduation date, and I would be glad to return it to the family.
A few days went by and Dave Sr. (the father) sent me an email confirming that this ring did formerly belong to their son. I met up with them this morning to give it back. The mother was quite emotional as her son had passed away two years ago this month. They offered me some money as a reward for finding it, which I thankful for but declined. The good feeling of returning the ring to the family is worth far more than money to me.
This is my third ring return, and my first high school class ring return and hopefully I'll have this opportunity to return many more in the future.
Before I gave the ring back I cleaned it up real nice. Here are a few pictures of the ring and the parent's, and the former owner.
