Bruce Lyon Riddle, 81, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2024. He resided at Westerwood Senior Living in Columbus, Ohio during his last months. Bruce battled Parkinsons disease, which caused his death, for several years prior to his passing.
Bruce was born in Morrow County Hospital on March 4, 1943. He was the son of Ellen and Ralph “Red” Riddle, both deceased. Bruce grew up in Iberia, Ohio where he attended grammar, junior high and high school. He was a scholar-athlete and a musician (trombone) in high school. He was very loyal to Iberia Schools, as he was most active in Alumni Banquet reunions for years and years.
Bruce attended Ohio State University and was an ROTC member. Upon graduation Bruce served in the US Navy, then worked as an Associate Director of Admissions at his alma mater, OSU. He was hired away from OSU to become Director of Admissions at Kent State University. At Kent, Bruce led all efforts to achieve full enrollment after the Kent State shootings and was most successful. Bruce earned his Doctorate Degree in Communications at KSU and taught classes at Kent after his admissions work and before retirement. Bruce was an avid reader, loved bicycling, golfing, hiking, bird watching and traveling. Bruce was a winemaker and helped start up a most successful investors club in Kent. For the Riddle Family, he studied and shared family genealogy with all.
Bruce and Mary Jane Riddle were married in Pittsburgh, PA in 1972 and she survives him. Mary Jane and Bruce did not have children, as they poured their energies into their educational careers.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, two older brothers, Allen and Rex. His sister, Anna Belle Davis, residing in Palm Bay, Florida, survives Bruce. Bruce and Mary Jane have 13 nieces and nephews, 22 great nieces and nephews and 27 great, great nieces and nephews. Bruce was a humble, modest, caring and strong role model for his family.
Friends may call on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 11:00am until 12:30pm at the Iberia Presbyterian Church, 8607 County Rd 30, Iberia, Ohio 43325. The service will immediately follow at 12:30pm with Pastor Deb Bergmann officiating. Burial will follow at Iberia Cemetery where Full Military Honors will be rendered.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to Westerwood Rehab, 5800 Forest Hills, Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43231. Attn: Gary Burgess.
In closing, the Riddle family sincerely thanks the Westerwood Senior Living Rehab Department and Brookdale Trillium Crossing care takers and managers who supported and aided Bruce in his last days.
Those wishing to share a memory of Bruce or send condolences to the Riddle family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.
The Mark A. Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 303 Portland Way N., Galion is honored to serve the family of Bruce Lyon Riddle.