Richard Escobedo’s own class ring was stolen from his San Antonio home in 1997. The loss devastated him; he’d been so proud of that Kennedy High School ring that when ordering it at Zales, the salesman had to stop him from adding more details because nothing else would fit. In fact, his experience led to the beginnings of a class ring reunion story that would inspire many.
The next day, Richard began searching pawn shops, flea markets, and antique stores, hoping to find his beloved ring. He never did. But something remarkable happened instead.
While searching for his own ring, Richard kept finding other people’s class rings. That’s when inspiration struck: why not buy these rings and return them to their rightful owners? This was the start of what would become a class ring reunion movement.
For nearly 30 years, Richard has been doing exactly that—spending his own money to purchase lost class rings and reunite them with their owners.
How One Retired Teacher Built a Class Ring Reunion Movement
In 2019, Richard created a Facebook group called “Class Rings Bought to Reunite with Rightful Owners.” The concept was simple but powerful: instead of waiting for rings to be found, actively buy them from secondhand sellers and track down their owners.
The group has grown to over 50,400 members. In just seven years, Richard and his team, Admin Pamela Saunders from Indiana and Moderator Heather A. de Leur from Louisiana, have reunited more than 200 class rings with their owners across the United States. Furthermore, each class ring reunion brings joy and closure to its original owner.
The group operates on a generous philosophy: “We never ask for anything in return. We do this to Pay it Forward.” They don’t charge for the rings or shipping. The only request? Take a selfie wearing or holding your returned ring to give others hope that theirs might be found too.
Richard’s search process requires extensive research, diligence, and determination. He spends hours tracking down owners, making calls (some people initially think he’s running a scam), and verifying identities. Since he doesn’t drive, he does most of his ring shopping online, saving money paycheck to paycheck from his retirement income as a former preschool teacher.
Sometimes he admits to spending his last few dollars on a class ring instead of buying food for himself.
The reactions make it worthwhile. Local reunions are especially meaningful. Richard sees priceless expressions when owners hold their rings again. Some lost their rings over 60 years ago and never expected to see them again. The stories are often tearful and deeply personal.
What sets Richard’s mission apart is the proactive approach. Many groups focus on rings found with metal detectors or discovered in drawers after a loved one has passed away. Richard’s group actively purchases rings before they can be sold as scrap metal and melted down forever.
Here’s something surprising: Richard has been legally blind in his left eye since age two, yet he can spot tiny details in class rings that others miss—details that help him track down the rightful owners.
His advice to fellow ring hunters? Make sure the ring has initials or a name engraved on the underside. He’s learned the hard way that some rings without engravings are actually samples from jewelers’ showcases.
And to anyone who’s lost their class ring? Richard’s message is clear: “NEVER GIVE UP, cause you never know it might still be out there somewhere…Have HOPE!” Class ring reunion stories prove hope is worthwhile.
Richard accepts donations to purchase additional rings and continues his search not only for others’ rings but also for his own 1982 Kennedy High School class ring. Money comes and goes, he says, but a class ring is personalized and belongs to only one person, the rightful owner.
Sometimes doing the right thing means spending decades searching, one ring at a time, to bring joy back to strangers who become friends through a piece of jewelry that represents their youth, their memories, and their pride.
Want to Join the Mission?
Not every ring finds its way home. Richard has purchased many class rings over the years for which the owner cannot be located, including those with no engraving, incomplete information, or dead-end searches.
After receiving advice from his Facebook group members, Richard has decided to resell these unclaimed rings at Alamo Antique Mall, 125 Broadway, San Antonio. The proceeds go right back into purchasing more rings, keeping the cycle of hope alive.
“Returning pre-owned class rings is my hobby. It’s not a business because I purchase class rings to return and never request reimbursement or postage. I pay it all. I do it to ‘Pay it Forward,'” Richard explains. “Someone suggested, might as well resell them, and with the money I could purchase more.”
Richard invites readers to consider purchasing one of these unclaimed rings. You’ll save it from potentially being destroyed for scrap metal, and you might have better luck locating the owner than he did. Plus, it’s a meaningful way to get started in a hobby that brings joy to people who’ve lost something precious. Therefore, taking part in a class ring reunion effort can truly change lives for the better.
One ring at a time, anyone can make a difference.
If you have a lost class ring or want to help Richard’s mission, you can reach him at rescobedo236@yahoo.com or visit his Facebook group: Class Rings Bought to Reunite with Rightful Owners. Unclaimed rings are available at Alamo Antique Mall, 125 Broadway, San Antonio.
