Charles Ridder

Charles Ridder, age 73, of Grand Rapids, passed away unexpectedly on Friday March 28, 2025. Charlie is now flying free with those he loved who passed before him, leaving behind friends and family whose lives he touched and who love him dearly.

Charlie would have preferred an obituary that was short and sweet, but there are just too many things that need to be said about his legacy and the amazing person that he was. 

He grew up as the eldest sibling to Donna, Bob, Catherine, Scott, David and Michael in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Timothy Christian High School where he was renowned for his athletic abilities and dashing good looks; his sister Cathy said, “they called him dessert.” Although he stayed in Grand Rapids after attending Calvin College, he regularly went back to Chicago to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and his birthday with his parents and siblings.

Charlie worked as a dedicated substance abuse counselor who had a profound impact on many people through his work, but if you knew Charlie, you knew he worked to live and not the other way around.

He created and maintained friendships with his dearest friends from college all the way through to his “last supper.” According to his friend Gary, “he passed full bellied, girded for the afterlife, with a couple menwhiches featuring corn beef, swiss cheese and Charlie’s favorite…. ham” after spending the evening watching basketball with “the guys.” This group of friends shared a mutual love for the wilderness, adventure, and sports. When he was younger, they played sports, went camping and raised their families together. As they got older, they continued to gather to play cards, shoot the breeze and could often be found gathering at local establishments together. They were dad’s chosen family.

Charlie was an excellent chef, known for preparing meals in the great outdoors and being in charge of planning the menus for weeks-long river trips. As proclaimed by one of his friends after hearing of his passing… “who’s going to feed us now!?”  Dad was also renowned for baking delicious treats, particularly his signature banket and fruit pies that he brought to gatherings in his self-made, duct taped pie case. 

Charlie made sure to raise his girls, Anna and Micah, with an appreciation for the outdoors. He took us camping (with all of his friends) on annual camping trips to Manistee and Claybanks. We went on months’ long excursions out west and backpacking trips; he took us from Canada to Florida where we spent each spring break in the same campground going to the same piers to fish year after year. There was canoeing, fishing and endless exploration. He taught us how to love the beautiful world around us and find all of the joys it has to offer. He taught us to be curious and unafraid. He gave us room to take risks and to fail, and we always knew he would be there if we needed to come home. 

Dad was a man of routines and simple pleasures. He stayed living in the first home he ever purchased and drove the same Astro mini-van (that he may have loved most of all) and kept the same lousy furniture from his daughter’s college apartment. He didn’t find joy in things; he found joy in people, adventure and nature. 

A loyal and humble man, Charlie was simple in the best way, impossible not to love. His relaxed, easygoing nature made him a joy to be around. He will be deeply missed by his daughters, his family, and his friends, but his legacy of love and laughter will live on. Charlie was Charlie.

When you find yourself missing Charlie, we hope that you feel him in the warm breeze on your cheek, the song of birds in the morning, the glorious glow of the sunset or a deep breath of fresh air.

Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to plant a tree through A Living Tribute.