Robert F. Rider's Obituary
Robert "Bob" Farrington Rider, age 83, of Rehoboth Beach, DE, while surrounded by his loving family, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 4, 2012, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, DE. He was born in Glens Falls, NY on October 14, 1928, son of the late Thomas Nelson and Phyllis (Peabody) Rider.
Mr. Rider spent his early years in Glens Falls graduating from Glens Falls High School in 1946. He studied engineering at Clarkson College in Potsdam, NY and business at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration from Skidmore in 1950.
Bob was inducted into the Army in 1950 and served in the Engineer Corp. While in the Army, Bob married Jane Newton of Bridgeville, DE and moved to Bridgeville after being discharged in 1952. He began working at O.A. Newton & Son Co., part of the Newton conglomerate of businesses that included poultry, retail appliances, materials handling systems design and manufacturing, sales of farm machinery, irrigation and other agricultural products.
Through the years at O.A. Newton & Son Co., Bob served in various roles including: Director, 1959-Present; President, 1969-1984; Chief Executive Officer, 1984-2011, and Chairman, 1984 -Present. Bob was also General Manager of Newton Farms Inc., a fruit and vegetable farm, which at present, grows wheat, corn and soy beans. Bob became a Director of Newton Leasing and Finance Co. in 1970 and later served as President from 1977 until it was merged with Park Avenue Associates in 2006. Bob was involved with all the Newton Companies including Newton Chemical and Supply Co., Newton Realty, Inc., Newton Investment Co., Newton Foundation, and the trust that owns the farm.
Bob served on numerous Boards and Committees subsuming various roles from Chairman to President to Secretary-Treasurer to Member. He was President of the Delaware State Fair from 1976-1998; Director of the Chesapeake Utilities Corporation from 1976-2006; Baltimore Trust Co. Director (now PNC Bank) from 1955-1984; a PNC Bank Director from 1984-1998; a Blue Cross Blue Shield Director from 1990-2011, a Bell-Atlantic Delaware Director from 1979-1995; and a Burris Foods Director from 1983-2000. He served as a Director of the Delaware State Fair from 1966 on, and was a Trustee Emeritus at the University of Delaware where he was a Trustee from 1985-2003. Non-profit directorships include Nanticoke Memorial Hospital from 1965-1983 and again from 1988-1993; Christiana Care Health Systems Inc. from 1984-2006; a member of the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Delaware from 1984-1988; Chairman of the Council on State Planning of Delaware from 1971-1979; and Winterthur Corporate Council from 1989-1993. Bob was also a member of the Delaware Economic Roundtable from 1980-2006 and was Chairman in 1983-1984.
Bob was a Governor of the United State Postal Service from 1995-2005 and served as Vice Chair from 1999-2001 and Chairman of the Board of Governors from 2001-2003.
Most recently, January 2012, Bob was awarded the prestigious Josiah Marvel Cup, an award from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce honoring a Delawarean who has made an outstanding contribution to the State, community and society. Mr. Rider always demonstrated exemplary stellar public stewardship in his public and business life.
Bob's hobbies included snow skiing, big game hunting, and owning and operating a girls’ summer camp -- Moss Lake Camp -- in the Adirondacks near Eagle Bay, NY. He was a man of great humility who was gifted in many ways and who readily shared his talents for the benefit of others. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Jane Newton Rider (1979), his grandson, Lennan Hamilton, his step-daughter, Cheryl Skinner (2011) and his brother, Thomas Nelson Rider II (2011).
He is survived by his wife of 32 years Barbara (Boyer) Rider; his son, Robert "Rob" F. Rider, Jr. and wife Susan, Seaford, DE; four daughters: Robin Taylor and fiancé Steve Dougherty of Greenwood, DE, Beth Stone of Buffalo, NY, Wendy Heyd and husband Greg of Maui, HI and Terry Zittel and husband Bill of Eden, NY; step-daughter, Candie Dunning and husband Jerry of Smyrna, DE; 16 grandchildren: Wendy Stone, Kristen Stone, Vince Heyd, Nick Heyd and wife Brittany, Matt Heyd, Jason Zittel and wife Ellen, Kimberly Zittel, Michael Zittel, Kyle Zittel, Justin Rider, Nathan Rider, Emma Rider, Josh Dunning and wife Allison, Brandon Dunning, Michael Skinner and fiancé Tasha and Matt Skinner; one great-granddaughter, Molly Jane Zittel, and his beloved long hair Dachshund, "Schatzi."
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 11:00 AM, at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE with the Rev. Max Wolf officiating. Friends may visit with the family at the church from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Following the Funeral Services, the family invites you to join them for a Celebration of Bob's Life at 1:00 PM at the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, 240 West Side Drive, Rehoboth Beach. Interment will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in the name of Robert Rider to All Saints' Episcopal Church at the above noted address or to the University of Delaware, 126 Hullihen Hall, Newark, DE 19716.
Please sign Mr. Rider's online guestbook at this site.
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