Robert Downie, Author at The Ring Finders

Fire Survivor Lost but Found at Glenrock, Pa

  • from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, United States)
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Last evening, 10/26/26, Ken contacted me about his lost wedding ring.  He was doing yard work and it came off near his front door.  He tried using a metal detector and went out at night with a light but could not locate it.  He told me he spent at least 4 hours searching even though the search area was small.  Finally, he decided to contact me.

The next morning I arrived and he showed me where he thought it was.  There were numerous targets but not the one I was looking for.  I used a pointer near the house on my hands and knees because the detector could not be used due to all the metal. I adjusted the pointer to low sensitivity knowing the ring would be near the surface.

Ken told me he acquired the ring in 1982.  He was working at a warehouse and was in the habit of removing the ring due to the type of work he was doing in the warehouse where wearing a ring would be dangerous.   The ring was always placed in his car’s change holder between the front seats. Fast forward to 1992.  While parked, a fire occurred in his vehicle.  His car became fully engulfed in flame, the tires blew out and the car rolled downhill into a fence. The vehicle was, of course, totally destroyed.  Ken, knowing where the ring was, removed a molten mass of what used to be coins.  He carefully removed the outer metal and his ring was intact, protected by the melted coins.  After a good cleaning, it was as good as new.

Now back to the present. After nearly 2 hours, I decided to widen the search area.  As soon as I did, I heard the tone I was searching for and glanced at the detector’s display.  There, right under the coil, was the beautiful ring.  Ken was was with me most of the time but just before I found it, he walked to his mailbox.  It would have been great had he experienced looking on the ground and seeing what I was seeing.  The ring was only 8 feet outside of the first search area. When he returned I told him to hold out his hand as I had something for him.  He was very happy to get it back on his finger.  He informed his wife and she too was happy that it was back where it belongs.  I suspect as most of us know, that ring is very special, and I suppose that I too am now part of its history.

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A Mother’s Ring Returned, Etters, Pa.

  • from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, United States)
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On a recent Monday evening I received a text from Wyatt asking if I would be interested in looking for a lost gold ring somewhere in a lawn.  Interested? That’s like asking me if I want to go hunting, as in detecting.  Of course, I responded.  He stated he had searched with a detector and even went out at night with a flashlight but could not find it.  My next day was a bit busy but the situation seemed urgent.  I managed to clear a few things and arrived the next day.

Wyatt explained that his fiancée, Rebecca, had been playing catch with their beautiful dog named Winslow, aka “Winnie”, when the ring was lost.  Wyatt showed me where they had been so I commenced a grid search.  In 30 minutes, I found it.  Wyatt was  rather surprised.  Unfortunately, Rebecca was at work and I could not wait for her to arrive to take a photo as I had another commitment.  We agreed that I come back the following day.

When I arrived, Wyatt and Rebecca exited the house.  Rebecca said something like, “Here comes my hero”.  Had I thought fast enough I would have responded with, “No, you are wrong.  The real hero is your fiancé  standing right next to you.  The guy tried hard to find it and realized it was time to find someone with the experience and equipment to find this precious ring”.  Rebecca told me the ring belonged to her late mother who she lost when she was just a teenager. That told me without further explanation that the ring was very special.  She told me she was about to consider it a lost cause and a write off.  I told her had I not found it when I did, I would have covered every inch of that lawn until it was returned to her no matter how long it took.

 

 

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Irreplaceable Ring Returned Near Duncannon, PA

  • from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, United States)
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I received a text from William who informed me that he lost his late father’s ring in his yard and wondered if I could help.  Of course I agreed.  I arrived and William showed me the area where he had been working in the yard and thought it was near the house.  While the area was small, the targets were many.  While searching, William’s grandfather arrived.  He told me that the ring had been in a safe for 15 years after William, at age 3, lost his father.  William had only been married for 3 months when he lost this precious ring.  Knowing the backstory, I was determined to locate his ring no matter how long it took.  William was convinced it was in the yard and so was I.

After 4 hours of searching, I saw and heard the signal I had been looking for.  The ring was going back to where it belonged, safe again.

William and his new bride were very happy and so was I.

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The Ring I Did Not Find

  • from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, United States)
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On a recent Saturday, I was contacted by a young lady who was very upset.  She told me that while accompanying a group of youngsters at The Army Heritage Center Foundation at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she lost her ring; actually 3 rings soldered together.  I agreed to meet her at the location the next day, rain or shine.

It is important to state that while I never disclose a location that I search, this was very different.  The Army Heritage Center Foundation is a federal facility and is open to the public.  Metal detecting is not allowed on the property but I was granted special permission by the young lady discussing the matter with management.   This location contains historical exhibits for every war in which this country was engaged.  If you are ever visiting this area it would be worthy of your time to visit this wonderful site.

On the morning as I drove to the site, the weather was terrible with very heavy rain.  I was prepared so the rain was not much of an issue.  Fortunately, as I arrived at 0845, the rain ended with only a couple of mild showers coming later while searching.  The young lady warned me that the area was large.  It is 54.79 acres. This was going to be a challenge but I don’t back down from one.  If the ring was there, I would find it no matter how many hours or days it took.

After meeting the lady she led me to all of the areas where she had walked.  Searching began at 0915 and I did not stop until 1710, taking about 15 minutes for an energy drink.  I knew the lady was disheartened that the ring had not yet been located.  I told her that if it was found on a Saturday, and the building is not open on Sunday, that there was a chance that it might be turned in.  I gave her some other advice as to what she could do in the meantime but I assured her I was not finished and was scheduled to return.  Prior to reaching out to me, she had contacted two other “Ringfinders”, John and Brian, and both agreed that if needed, they would be willing to assist.  A special “Thank You” to each for the offers. Both were going to come on the following weekend if needed; a long drive for each.

As stated, the exhibits covered the various war periods.  When we were near the Vietnam War exhibit, the lady was talking to someone so I was alone.  She did not notice that I stopped detecting for a couple of minutes as I looked at a map of Vietnam.  Memories hit me of things I won’t ever forget.  Also, it is fitting to state here that I thought of my high school buddy, Robert Francis Stryker, a hero and a member of the U.S. Army.  During my own tour of duty in Vietnam, while I was hundreds of miles north, Stryker was involved in a fierce battle in the south.  He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his unselfish actions in that battle.  Later, an Army combat vehicle was named after him.  So there I was looking for a lost ring while lost, dormant memories had suddenly returned to me.

After searching for 8 hours, I was exhausted.  I was going to come back in a couple of days to cover some areas that had not been checked. If not successful, I was ready to contact John and Brian to unleash the “calvary” on the following weekend.

On Monday morning, while checking and cleaning my equipment I received a telephone call from the lady who had lost the ring.  She informed me that someone found the ring near an exhibit on Saturday and had just now turned it in at the Center.  She said the “finder” did not leave a name so she could not thank the person for their act of kindness.  If that person ever reads this, please contact me so that I can put you in touch with a very thankful person.

I have never made a post about something not found but I felt this one was different.  My hope is that for those who read this that they will agree and understand.  And if you are a Vietnam Veteran, Welcome Home!

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Lost Earring Recovered at York Pennsylvania

  • from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, United States)
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On the day before Labor Day, 2026, I was contacted by an individual who stated his fiance′ lost a diamond stud earring at a baseball park near York, Pa. The couple were visiting from Connecticut and planned to leave on labor Day.  I arranged to meet with them on Labor Day morning.  After a thorough search in a small area the earring was recovered. The couple, having searched unsuccessfully with a metal detector the day before, were very happy that the earring was found. 

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Lost Cellphone Recovered at Dillsburg, Pennsylvania

  • from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, United States)
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I received a text from a young man and by the context I knew he was a bit frantic.  He informed me that his one-week old cellphone fell as he looked down from a bridge over a creek.  Despite his efforts, he decided to check our website and contacted me.  I arranged to meet him at the location that same day.

Fortunately, the deepest part of the creek was only 3 feet.  I thought it would not take long to recover the phone but after using an underwater detector and a pointer for 1.5 hours I elected to bring out another detector.

I was using a scoop to check targets.  As each scoop was brought to the surface, and there were many, I could see the concern in the expression of the owner.  Finally, I noticed a number of targets.  Some, I knew were iron, but among them there was one that I felt was promising.  I told the owner that I would not move until that one item no longer appeared on my detector.  With one final scoop, there was the phone.

I wish I could have recorded the look on his face as I handed him the phone.  He was very excited to say the least.

He knew how to handle a phone that had been submerged.  Eight hours later he texted me from that very phone and stated, “It works!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lost Custom – Crafted Diamond Ring Recovered in Lebanon, Pennsylvania

  • from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, United States)
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I received a frantic communication from a young lady that a ring had been lost and could I attempt to locate it.  Upon inquiry I found that it was either in a pasture lot, surrounded by a 4 strand electric fence, or outside the fence in a wooded area.

Upon arrival  I found that she had to crawl under the fence so that the ring might be on either side or that it had fallen out of a pocket while in the pasture.  I checked the wooded area very thoroughly without success.  I then crawled under the fence where luckily only strand 1 and 3 were active (I managed to get shocked anyway!).

After a few hours I got the signal I had been looking for and recovered the ring.  Upon handing it over, she was extremely happy as she thought it would not be located.  She and her future husband were so happy they have invited me back to just visit and/or to check other areas of the property for whatever might be buried.

 

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Lost diamond engagement ring in Hanover, Pennsylvania… Found!

  • from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, United States)
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I was contacted in late August of 2025, via the website, to see if I could locate it. On the first day I could only be on site for two hours due to the temperature in the 90’s without any shade. When I returned, determined to spend all day or days if necessary, the weather was much more cooperative.

Continuing where I left off, I located the ring in 45 minutes. It was in excellent condition with no evidence of being touched by mower blades. I was very concerned about the ring because the property is maintained with a zero turn mower. Had that mower picked it up, I was afraid of what condition it would be in. Fortunately, the grass had a root structure that was extremely strong. The ring was trapped in those roots, above dirt level, and the mower never touched it. I was totally relieved as was the young lady who has it once again.

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Wedding Ring Recovered

  • from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, United States)
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I received a call regarding a lost wedding ring that occurred while playing volleyball. The problem was that the volleyball court was mobile, encompassing the area of nearly a football field. Worse, I was directed to where it was thought they had been playing. It was not in that area but it was found!

 

The owner was very happy as seen in the photo.

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Lost Ring Found in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

  • from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania, United States)
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In September of this year, I received a telephone call from an individual asking if I thought I might locate a lost engagement and wedding band, lost in the fall of 2014.  I believe I commented that if it is still there, I will find it.

Upon arrival on 9/23/19,  I was given a tour of where they might be lost when raking leaves and other yard work.  I believe the first day I was there 7.5 hours.  I had to limit searching the second day and onward in about 4 hour increments.  I was then shown a bank where 5 years of leaves and brush had been deposited.  This was the second possible hot spot.  That bank was steep enough that I needed to wear crampons.  At the bottom was a tree, about 24 inches in diameter that was there when they were lost.  It had to go.  So I brought a chainsaw and cut it into sections where I could move them with a digging iron.  That search was futile.  On to several other possibilities.  Last week I decided to go back to another section of bank, adjacent to the first.  This involved cutting another tree that was 1/2 way down the bank.  Anyway, as I was about to leave on 12/10/19, having searched with my CTX3030 in the rain most of the morning, I found it after a ten week search.  Owner was thrilled and speechless.  Going back when the weather cooperates to find the gold band.

This was a difficult recovery but persistence reunited this beautiful ring, with all its memories, back to the owner.

Lost But Found

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