Obituary of George Allen Ridenour

In the early hours of Saturday, October 21, 2017, George Allen Ridenour of Danby, New York, was released into the arms of God at the age of 78 years.  As his wife and daughter held his hands, he succumbed to a rare, sudden-onset, aggressive, demyelinating brain disease.
George is survived by, and will continue to live in the hearts of his wife of 38 years, Jeanette Shady; daughters, Sheryl and Sarah; sister, Mary Ridenour Dietz; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Wayne and Lorraine Pruitt, Bob and Donna Shady; nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and countless friends.  He is predeceased by his parents, Layel and Nan Ridenour, who lived at Kendal at Ithaca. 
George was born in Fremont, Ohio, but, it was on the Ridenour family farm in Hicksville, Ohio that this man of integrity, honesty and commitment was raised.  It was here that George developed a love of people, commitment to the greater good, desire to serve, dedication to community and civic involvement, and a deep faith in God that was revealed in his capacity to make a difference in the lives of others.  It was also here that George honed his beautiful baritone singing voice. 
Upon graduation from Ohio State University in 1961, George joined the International Voluntary Services for a two-year assignment in Laos as an educational adviser in a teaching training school.  Later, he would return to Laos as a community development adviser with the United States Agency for International Development.  His affection for the Lao people and the colleagues with whom he served remained with him always. 
In 1971, George received a Master of Science from Cornell University in International Development and Southeast Asian Studies.  That same year, he accepted a position at Cornell as Director of Admissions and Student Affairs for the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration, a position he held for seven years.  During that time, he was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Graduate Management Admissions Council.    
George married Jeanette Shady in 1979, and moved to Washington, D. C. where he was Vice President of the Environmental Fund, the focus of which was the global impact of exponential population growth.  Three years later, he went into business for himself as an independent executive search consultant.  He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Executive Recruiters, and served as its first President and later its first Chief Administrative Officer.  George continued his search consulting practice when he and Jeanette returned to Ithaca in 1987. 
George was a member of the First Congregational Church of Ithaca.  He was a devoted singer in the choir, and frequent soloist.  Most recently, he served on the Stewardship Committee.
His gentle and sensitive nature was expressed particularly well in his love for gardening as he nurtured his plantings and joyfully shared his flowers with family and friends.  His dahlias were especially breathtaking, and would, in the late summer, grace the altar at the First Congregational Church. 
George had a particular interest in end-of-life issues, and was honored to have served on the Board of Directors of Hospicare and Palliative Care Services.  He was also passionate about charitable giving, and was likewise honored to have served on the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 11, at 12 noon at the First Congregational Church, 309 Highland Road, Ithaca, New York.  Calling hours at the church will precede the service from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. 
In lieu of flowers, and in remembrance of George’s generous philanthropic giving, we encourage friends and family to consider gifts in George’s memory to Hospicare and Palliative Care Services at https://www.hospicare.org/donate/ and/or the Ithaca Concert Band at http://ithacaconcertband.org/supporters/.  Condolences may be made to George’s family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com.