Headlines

Third-Generation Jeweler Dies

Published

7 years ago

October 11, 2016

“He, at every opportunity, gave to the community.”

Third-generation jeweler Steve Runyan of Vancouver, WA, has died.

Runyan, who for years operated Runyan’s Jewelers, was 77, the Columbian reports.

Today, Runyan’s son Erik Runyan is president of the business, which operates as Erik Runyan Jewelers.

Faithful readers of Shine Times may recall that the store will soon be hitting the century mark. And in January, it plans to move to a new site downtown — at the same address the store had 100 years ago.

“Every generation of this company has left a mark of personalization,” Erik Runyan said, according to the Columbian. The store focuses on custom work and bridal jewelry.

Steve Runyan was known locally for his volunteer work with various groups, including the Lunch Buddy mentoring program for students at low-income schools.

“He, at every opportunity, gave to the community,” Erik Runyan said.

The Runyan family’s start in the jewelry business was a watch bench set up at a bus depot in the early 1900s.

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Newton’s Jewelers in Fort Smith, Ark., was a true institution. But after being at the helm for most of his life, owner (and descendent of the original founder) Kelly Newton decided it was time to retire. He chose Wilkerson to handle the sale. “I’ve known the owners of Wilkerson for a long, long time. I felt at home with them,” he says. The final retirement sale was just a “blast” and the Wilkerson sales team made it so very simple and straightforward, says Newton. Would he recommend Wilkerson to others? Absolutely. “They’ve done incredible work,” says Newton. “They feel like family.”