Henry T. Ridsdale III

December 31, 1934 - March 16, 2020

Henry T. Ridsdale II, 85, passed away peacefully at home on March 16, 2020. Hank was born to Henry T. and Helen Ayres Ridsdale on December 31, 1934. They along with his three sisters: Joan Ladlee, Virginia Capito and Carole Griebel, are deceased. After four years in the Air Force (1953-1957). Serving as a Radar Technician, Hank was discharged as a Staff/Sergeant. In 1957, Hank attended the University of Louisville where he received a BS in Commerce and met his wife of 60 years, Jacqueline Beisler. They have 3 children: Preston (Darr), Jennifer Crowe (Dan), and Matthew. Two granddaughters: Paige and Claire Crowe. Upon graduation in 1959, Hank joined the Ford Motor Company, Lincoln Division, and embarked on a 34 year automotive career. Ford sent him to Lorain, OH as an Assistant Car Distributor. From there General Motors hired him in Memphis in Car Distribution and as a District Manager. GM moved him as far north as Minnesota and as far south as Louisiana. Along the way he was an Assistant Office Manager and a Product Distributor, Business Manager, Assistant Zone Manager and finally one of 27 District Zone Managers in the country. His final destination was GM Corporation, Pontiac Division, as Manager Dealer Network Planning -East/South. He retired from GM 9/1/1991 and his 14th move brought him back home to Louisville. In 1992, Hank became the AARP Director of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Hank felt this was the perfect job to give back to the community, finding employment for low income seniors. In 2004, Mayor Abramson awarded Hank the “Mayor’s Citation” for his “service to the betterment of the city and its people. “ Hank belonged to the downtown Rotary Club and its many services and was a Kentucky Colonel. He will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved him. A celebration of life will be held at a later date at Springdale Presbyterian Church.