C. David Ridgway

Lansing, Michigan

Dave was a gentle, kind and sweet man who loved his family, friends, and all things outdoors, especially gardening. He died peacefully at The Willows of East Lansing Retirement Home on March 24, 2015.

Dave was born in Washington, D.C. to Robert H. and Bernice R. Ridgway on December 12, 1930. He spent his childhood years in Scarsdale, N.Y. and graduated from Scarsdale High School in 1948. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1953 with a degree in Forestry. He then proudly served in the U.S. Navy for two years and attended the Naval Aviation School in Pensacola, Florida. After the service he was with the U.S. Forestry Service in Tennessee for two years. That was followed by joining the Kurtz Bros. Printing and School Supplies Company in Clearfield, PA where he remained for 37 years, retiring as Vice President of Operations in 1995. He and wife, Ruth, moved to Lansing where they lived until his death.

His interest in the outdoors was exhibited by his life-long love for fly fishing, bird watching, hunting, flowers, gardening and golf. Dave was an Eagle Scout, a 50-year member of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club (Clearfield, PA), member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, President of the Clearfield Chamber of Commerce, a 32nd degree Mason, member of the Clearfield BPOE (Elks Club) for over 60 years, member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clearfield, Country Club of Lansing, and supporter of numerous conservation groups.

Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Ruth Nolen Ridgway; children: Kurt (Tami) Ridgway, Pauline (Keith) Hagelin, Patrice (Dennis) Gallagher; stepchild, Ann McClintock; grandchildren: Kiely (Keith) Ostfeld, Collin Ridgway, Nolan Ridgway, Justin Hagelin, Casey Hagelin, Owen Gallagher, Hayden Gallagher, Chapin Pulju, Ian Pulju, Alissa Sedbrook, Nicholas Sedbrook and Franklin Tello; four great-grandchildren: Khloe Ostfeld, Kane Ostfeld, Chapin Pulju, Jr., Zeiah Pulju; and special friends: James P. and Audrey Moore. Dave was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert H. Ridgway, Jr.; sister, Helen R. Kelly; and first wife, Jean Kurtz Ridgway.

A memorial service will be held at the The Presbyterian Church, 119 N. 2nd Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2015 with Rev. J. Robert Mellgard officiating. A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, March 31, at 1:30 p.m. at The Peoples Church of East Lansing, MI. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery, Clearfield, PA.

The family of Mr. Ridgway invites family and friends following the memorial service to join them at The Elks, 301 N. 2nd Street, for a reception and a time of fellowship.

In lieu of flowers those who wish may contribute in Dave's memory to the Joseph and Elizabeth Shaw Public Library, 1 S. Front Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 or the Capital Area District Library, 401 S. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI 48893. The family is being served by Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes, Greater Lansing Chapel. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.EstesLeadley.com.

To send an online tribute goes to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com

The Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc., Clearfield is in charge of the local arrangement.