Notes:

Frederick R. “Rick” Ridge
Thursday, January 5, 2017

Frederick R. “Rick” Ridge, III, age 41, of Linton, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, in Linton. He was born on May 19, 1975, the son of Dr. Frederick R. Ridge, Jr. & Rita Jane (House) Ridge.

Rick was a 1994 graduate of Linton-Stockton High School. He attended Ball State University and graduated from Ivy Tech with an associate degree in Radiology Technology. He began working at Methodist Hospital System as a Radiology Tech. Rick enjoyed traveling, spending time in Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and several other places in Europe.

During college, he spent a summer traveling and following the Grateful Dead before the loss of Jerry Garcia. He spent time living in California and Colorado where he enjoyed snowboarding.

He is survived by his parents, Dr. Frederick Ridge Jr. and Bille Jo (Fish) Ridge of Linton, grandmother, Helen Ridge of Leavenworth, brothers, Tim Ridge and William (Andrea) Ridge, sisters, Andrea Alltop and Amanda (Richard) Brinson, nephews, Shan-Michael Bowers, Riley Alltop, Ryan Ridge, nieces, Kailee Bowers, Sydney Alltop, Ruby Brinson, Clara Ridge, Lily Brinson, grandnephews, Gavin and Jaden Daugherty and Maddox Bowers, and a grandniece, Mya Bowers.

He was preceded in death by his Mother, Rita Jane Ridge, grandparents, Frederick “Ray” Ridge, Sr., Elvin and Loretta House, William “Minner’ and Ruby Fish, and grandniece, Isabella Bowers.

Funeral service will be held at Welch & Cornett Funeral Home in Linton at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. Burial will follow at Stafford Cemetery in Sandborn.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 4-8 p.m., and Sunday from 2 p.m. until the time of service

Memorial contributions may be made to Linton Community Food Pantry through the funeral home.

Notes:

Frederick Ray Ridge, Jr., MD, age 71, passed away, surrounded by family, on Monday, February 24, 2020 at Greene County General Hospital in Linton, Indiana following an 11-month battle against Cholangiocarcinoma. He was born January 23, 1949 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan to the late Frederick Ray Ridge, Sr. and Helen Mae Tower Ridge.

Dr. Ridge grew up in Leavenworth, Indiana where he worked along side numerous cousins for his grandfather at the Tower Orchards during the summer and fall peach and apple seasons. He was a 4-H member and regularly attended the Community Presbyterian Church, where he was active in youth fellowship and scouting programs. He was a varsity athlete as a member of the baseball, basketball, track, and cross-country teams at Leavenworth High School.

Dr. Ridge was valedictorian of Leavenworth High School in 1967 and named a National Merit Scholar. In 1971, Dr. Ridge graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and earned the honor of Highest Distinction for his academic work. His educational journey then took him to the Indiana University School of Medicine where he earned his medical degree in 1975. Dr. Ridge spent three years completing his Family Medicine Residency and working as the Chief Resident in Family Medicine at the IU School of Medicine in 1978.

Dr. Ridge was a life-long Purdue Boilermaker fan and member of the John Purdue Club, which wasn’t always easy living and working in Linton, an IU Hoosiers strong-hold. He enjoyed wood crafting, bass fishing, reading, and making stained glass art pieces for family and friends. He was a self-proclaimed arborist and a life-long learner.

Dr. Ridge began his rural family medicine practice in Corydon, Indiana in 1978 and later moved to Linton, Indiana, where he owned and operated his family medicine office from 1979-2012. He then became a partner of Premier Medical Specialists Group from 2012-2017, when he then joined Greene County General Hospital clinics, serving as medical director and Chief Medical Officer of the hospital from 2019-2020.

Dr. Ridge always attempted to give back something to the profession that has given so much to him. Not only was Dr. Ridge dedicated to continually educating himself, he also took the time to teach dozens of residents and medical students as well as nurse practitioner and physician assistant students.

Dr. Ridge volunteered his time and efforts to be a productive member of his community. Since 1978, he served gratis as the Linton-Miner Football Team Physician and rarely missed a game. He was a member of the Linton First United Methodist Church, serving on different committees and teaching Sunday school classes.

Dr. Ridge held numerous positions in several different medical organizations, serving as president of the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians, Indiana State Medical Association, and Indiana Public Health Officers Association. He was also a clinical associate professor at Indiana University Medical School Department of Family Medicine. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #188, Greene County Shriners, and Linton BPO Elks #866.

Dr. Ridge was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Donald and Stanley Ridge, a son Frederick Ray “Rick” Ridge, III, and an infant great granddaughter, Isabella Bowers.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Bille Jo Fish Ridge; His children, Tim Ridge, Andrea Alltop, William (Andi) Ridge, and Amanda (Richard) Brinson; A sister, Sharon (Bob) Broughton; Brothers-in-law, Dennis Ferree and Eddie Fish; Sisters-in-law, Leah Ann White Ridge and Mary Armstrong Ridge; His grandchildren, Shan-Michael Bowers, Kailee Bowers, Sydney Alltop, Riley Alltop, Ryan Ridge, Clara Ridge, Ruby Brinson, and Lily Brinson; Great-grandchildren, Gavin Daugherty, Jaden Daugherty, Maddox Bowers, Mya Bowers, and Raelyn Helton; As well as several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Friday February 28, 2020 at Welch & Cornett Funeral Home 140 E. Vincennes Street, Linton, Indiana from 3pm to 8 pm, with Masonic Rites at 7:30pm. In consideration of the Linton Lady Miners Basketball state championship game, visitation will resume on Sunday March 1, 2020 at Linton First United Methodist Church, 150 2nd Street NE, Linton, Indiana from 1pm until the time of service at 3pm with Pastor Ben Biggs officiating with the assistance of family and friends. A graveside service will be held at Stafford Cemetery following the church service.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Linton First United Methodist Church and/or The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.welchcornett.com.

Frederick married Rita Jane House 26 Aug 1966, English, Crawford, Indiana, USA. Rita (daughter of Elvin Laverne House and Loretta June Eastridge) was born 20 Sep 1949, Crawford, Indiana; died 31 Jul 1979, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

Elvin — Loretta June Eastridge. Loretta (daughter of Wayne Eastridge and Azel Faye Ritchie) was born 30 Mar 1932, Riddle, Crawford, Indiana, USA; died 2 Aug 2006, New Albany, Floyd, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

Wayne — Azel Faye Ritchie. Azel was born 21 Nov 1912, Indiana; died 1 Apr 1976, Leavenworth, Crawford, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet]