Thomas Ryder
Thomas G. Ryder, 81, a resident of Country Meadows, Allentown for the past year, and previously of Lower Macungie Township since 1976, passed away November 15, in Lehigh Valley Hospital. He was born in Bronx, NY, to Helen (Nicholls) and Thomas A. Ryder. He held a Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Engineering of the University of Notre Dame. He also held a Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dames Law School. Ryder retired from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. where he spent over two decades of his career as a Patent Attorney. He was a member of the Licensing Executives Society, U.S. and Canada Chapter. While at Notre Dame, Mr. Ryder was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Army. His active duty service was spent with the Army Security Agency, at Arlington Hall Station, in Virginia. A member of St. Thomas More parish, Ryder served for a time as an Usher, an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, and, more recently, the first Grand Knight of a newly-developed council of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Ryder helped to found the St. Thomas More Youth Soccer Program.Ryder was active with Boy Scouts of America, serving first as Cubmaster of Pack 131. He was a founding member of Troop 431. There, he was an Assistant Scoutmaster and a member of its Troop Committee. He was committed to Scout training both by participating in courses himself and passing on what he had learned to other Scouters. He earned Woodbadge Beads in both the Cubbing and Scouting areas. Later, he served as Trexler District Commissioner and assisted Minsi Trails Council with training programs, and planning special events. He also provided leadership to local boys attending a national jamboree held at Camp A.P. Hill in Virginia. For his dedication to scouting, Ryder was honored with the Silver Beaver Award. Survivors: Mr. Ryder is survived by his wife, Patricia (Peters) Ryder, with whom he recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. Also surviving are their five children: Thomas (Kate), Christine (Titus) Brookins, James (Tammy), Robert (Stefanie) and Kathleen (Nicholas) Caserio, and 12 grandchildren. Services: There will be a viewing on Tuesday evening, November 19, between 7 and 9 p.m. at Weber Funeral Home (www.weberfuneralhomes.com), located at 1619 W. Hamilton St, Allentown. Visitors may also call at St. Thomas More Church, 1040 Flexer Ave. between 9 and 10 a.m. on Wednesday Morning, November 20, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment will immediately follow the Mass, and will be held at Resurrection Cemetery, located on Krocks Road in Allentown. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the University of Notre Dame Class of 1954 Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made payable to the University of Notre Dame, and addressed to Notre Dame Development Office, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.