Albert E. Captain Ridgeway

Albert E. Ridgeway passed away on June 25 at the age of 92. He was born December 3, 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland, to Samuel Walter and Emma Johanna Wanhoff Ridgeway. He was orphaned at the age of three, then raised by his maternal grandparents, Martha and Edward Wanhoff, in Dundalk, Maryland. He lived with them, his older sister, Marion, and his aunts, Frieda and Helen and his Uncle Albert. His family called him "Buddy." Al was adventuresome. Before he was ten, he had: stolen the family car to go joyriding (The police delivered him home again); rowed a leaky rowboat for a night crossing to Fort McHenry (The Coast Guard towed him home); walked the top of a dangerous railroad trestle many times; skipped school to witness the arrival of the China Clipper in Baltimore Harbor; and persuaded the pilots at a nearby airfield to teach him to fly. He knew he wanted to become a pilot.

At 17, he joined the Army Quartermaster Corps and received promotion after promotion, attaining his dream of becoming a fighter pilot. He served in both the European and Far East Theatres. He flew P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs in Europe and Korea, and other types of aircraft through the occupations of Germany and Japan. He also served as automotive staff officer for the Far East Air Forces and finally the Eighth Air Force, when he elected to revert to inactive reserve status in June of 1953. Al's military service was decorated, but he always considered his efforts pale and insignificant compared to the friends he served with who died for their country.

Al joined General Motors after leaving the service and began as an adjuster for Motors Insurance Corporation. He worked his way into management and executive positions and retired in San Antonio as General Manager after thirty-six years of service. Both his military service and service with General Motors required extensive travel.

Even though Al did not consider any religious denomination to be paramount to being a Christian, he was a lifelong Lutheran. In all his assignments throughout the world he was active in Lutheran churches, serving in choirs, on councils and in their executive functions.

Al was a self-taught musician who played the organ (electronic and pipe), piano, accordion, concertina and trumpet. He and his friend Henry Henning built an entire pipe organ in Henry's garage. Al loved the study of music theory, and as recently as a month ago soothed himself to sleep contemplating the circle of fifths. He loved flying all his life, and spent hours at Houston's Collier airfield with his friend, Bill Collier. He worked at building a BD-4 light aircraft in his own garage as well.

He loved animals dearly and had many faithful dogs throughout his life, including rescuing a distemper-ridden stray he named Gretchen, who was a special presence in his life. His little dog, Annie — also a rescue — mourns for him now.

Albert is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary E. Ridgeway, with whom he shared dancing, music, worship and countless other joys; his daughter, Rhonda R. Doré (husband Mark), his only and beloved child; grandson, Christopher C. Little (wife Yvette), of whom he was exceedingly proud; loving niece Marion Weaver and other wonderful nieces and nephews, both from his own family and his family by marriage.

Visitation is Monday, July 3, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough. Funeral service will be at Shepherd King Lutheran Church Wednesday, July 5 at 10:30 a.m. A lunch reception follows at 11:30. Burial with military honors will be at 2:30 p.m., Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

The family encourages memorial contributions to Shepherd King Lutheran Church in lieu of flowers.