Robert Rider

RIDER, Robert James - age 92, of Linden, died October 1, 2021. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 AM Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St. Fenton, MI 48430 with Fr. David Harvey celebrant. Interment will follow at New Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Flint. Visitation will be held from 10 AM - 11 AM Tuesday at the church. Bob was born January 28, 1929 in Flint to Leo and Genevieve (Rau) Rider. He graduated from Flint Central High School in 1947 and hired into Buick Motor Division that same year. During a layoff period in 1948 he enjoyed a hitchhiking trip with his friend, Curtis Kelley across the U.S. passing through at least 20 states, visiting the Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Mt. Rainier and Alcatraz. In 1950, Bob was drafted into the Korean War where he served in the Army Engineers as a Staff Sergeant. He took his training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and Beale Air Force Base, California. Bob shipped out from California early November 1951 to Japan and then onto Korea. After the war, Bob returned to Missouri to marry Dorothy Jean Monje, whom he met during training at Fort Leonard Wood. They married on December 27, 1952. Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing at the family cottage at Elk Lake in Gladwin County. After losing his first wife, Dorothy in 1981 at the age of 49, he then married long time friend, Mary Ann Labo and they moved to Linden in 1987 and she also preceded him in death. Surviving are: daughter, Roxanne M. Pear of Flushing; son, Gary S. (Janet) Rider of Florida; stepdaughters, Eileen (Dan) Paul, Sharon (Harry) Briscock, and Marie Larbo; 7 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by: brothers, Richard and Ronald Rider. Arrangements by Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 W. Silver Lake Rd., Fenton, MI 48430. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.