Obituaries : Robert \'Bob\' G. Ridenour

Bob Ridenour

Robert “Bob” G. Ridenour, 80, of Monticello, formerly of Vinton, died peacefully Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, surrounded by his family at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at the First Baptist Church, 1302 E. Third St., Anamosa, with the Rev. Ron Thatcher officiating. Visitation also will be held at the church from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Committal Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton.

Robert was born Sept. 29, 1932, near Bedford, to Orville and Zelda (Cunningham) Ridenour. He served his nation in the Army during the Korean conflict and then obtained his teaching degree from Northwest Missouri State College.

He will be fondly remembered as an elementary teacher for the Vinton School District. He taught for 36 years and would say he “taught kids of kids.” He sold mobile homes after retiring from teaching school.

On Aug. 16, 1964, he married Lois Marie Wood at the Assembly of God Church in Vinton. She preceded him in death on April 22, 2005. He married JoAnne Hogan Rochford on Dec. 15, 2007, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Central City and the couple had made their home in rural Monticello since their marriage.

Bob was known for his love of visiting with everyone and never meeting a stranger. He enjoyed old cars and his ‘52 antique Ford Tractor. Bob accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior when he was a teenager. He loved his church, Gospel Music, and was a wonderful Christian and a loving husband, father, father-in-law, stepfather, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend and will be missed more than words can say.

In addition to his wife, JoAnne, he is survived by his son, Brian (Dawn) Ridenour of Houston, Texas; his daughter, Vonda (Craig) Flint of Cedar Rapids; his stepdaughters, Deb (Bill) Carlson of Anamosa, Sue (Tom) Drummy of Ryan, Kathy Schuett of Mequon, Wis., Patricia (Eric) Livingston of Marion and Kelly (Kevin) Hegland of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Jessica (Jason) Bauerkemper of Killeen, Texas, Justin Flint and fiancee Andrea Canon of Cedar Rapids, and Travis Flint of Ames; his great-grandchildren, Jayda, Jiana and Jessa; 11 stepgrandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren; and his brother, Richard Ridenour of Cedar Rapids.

The family expressed their gratitude to St. Luke’s, the great nurses and to Dr. Warren and his staff, for all the wonderful care Bob received during four years of chemo. They were like family.

A memorial fund has been established.

Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left at:www.phillilpsfuneralhomes.com.