April 17, 2020 —Some of us remember Pete Rider riding his tricycle with the American flag waving on the back and his big hat and bigger smile as he came to the Community Center for his mail and to enjoy dinner in the Windows Dining Room.
Pete made a generous bequest to the Kendal at Ithaca Rainy Day Fund which helps Kendal residents in need of special financing. We were surprised and pleased by his thoughtfulness but it typifies his long life of service to others.
Pete was born in Brooklyn, NY in April 1917 and died at Kendal at Ithaca in January 2007 just shy of his 90th birthday. He moved to Kendal in 1999 and enjoyed the independence of living in a cottage. He moved to the Health Center shortly before his death.
He was a life-long teacher having received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Education from Oswego State Teachers College in New York. He taught industrial arts and driver education in several school districts in New York State. After he stopped teaching he drove the school bus for several years.
Pete served in the United States Navy from February 1944 until April 1946. He was a Navy Civil Service teacher for 2 years prior to his induction. He was assigned to the USS Dixie and spent some time in Shanghai.
He had a special interest in Native American youth and contributed to a number of charities that supported Native American education. He set up an education fund for one particular Native American boy and developed a close friendship with the family. He created an education fund for that young man, his younger brother and a cousin. Throughout his life he supported youth while they were attending college.
He loved the outdoors and was an accomplished skier – both downhill and cross country. He enjoyed hiking and sailing and was a skilled wood worker. He taught sailing at a YMCA camp on Lake George for many years. He moved to Jackson, WY for about 10 years and enjoyed skiing and hiking in the mountains and photographing wildflowers. His niece describes him as a kid who never grew up but who enjoyed teaching and helping others. Through his gift to Kendal at Ithaca’s Rainy Day Fund, Pete continues to give of himself to others.
This information is shared with the permission of Pete’s family and we are appreciative of their assistance in providing additional personal data to us.