Richard Ridgway Obituary

Richard C. Ridgway, father of Durango resident Dana Siekman, died of complications of prostate cancer Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, in Silver Spring, Md. He was 76.

Known by his family as "Buddy," he was born Oct. 7, 1936, in Washington D.C. He remained in the Washington area his entire life but also spent time at his homes in Stuart, Fla., and Bethany Beach, Del.

A graduate of Gonzaga High School, Mr. Ridgway also earned degrees at Mount St. Mary's College and Georgetown University Law School.

On June 14, 1958, he married Jeannie Manning in Silver Spring.

Throughout his legal career, he was founder and partner of several real estate law firms, and co-owner of Universal Land Title and RGS Title. After his retirement in 1995, Mr. Ridgway continued work in commercial and residential development in Martin County, Fla.

Mr. Ridgway was committed to civic enrichment and philanthropy, his family said. He was president of his local Jaycees, president of the Catholic Youth Organization, a member of the boards of Mount St. Mary's and Georgetown Prep High School, and the capital campaign chairman for several District of Columbia and Maryland high schools.

Mr. Ridgway was founder and president of The Shepherd Foundation, which has raised more than $10 million in tuition and education assistance for more than 9,000 underprivileged and inner-city students.

He coached area youth football and basketball teams for more than 15 years.

Mr. Ridgway received the 1998 Insignis Medal from Georgetown Prep and the 2005 St. Aloysius Medal from Gonzaga High School, the only lay person to receive both honors.

"His proudest accomplishments were as the development chairman for the Victory Youth Centers, which provide recreation facilities funding for underserved youths," his family said. "Mr. Ridgway was grateful to the Durango community for its outpouring of love and support for Dana and her family after her husband, Tony's, death in 2011."

Mr. Ridgway is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jeanie M. Ridgway of Kensington, Md., Stuart and Bethany Beach; daughters Dana Siekman of Durango, Lynn Ridgway of Stuart and Lisa Slater of Kensington; sons Mike Ridgway and Brian Ridgway, both of Kensington; and 16 grandchildren.

A celebration of life Mass was held Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013, in Kensington.

Online condolences may be posted and a complete obituary is available at www.devolfuneralhome.com.