Gene Ridenhour, MD: a doctor's lifetime of compassion

by Margaret Haring, posted Nov. 29, 2011

Whether sharing plants and gardening knowledge, caring for his patients, or removing a fish hook from the lip of a neighbor’s dog, Gene Ridenhour, M.D., is known as a talented and compassionate person.

Ridenhour was born in Koenig, Mo., on the Gasconade River. He grew up on a farm with his father, mother, a brother and two sisters.

Ridenhour grew to appreciate the outdoors and animals. He has especially fond memories of Indian Creek, a place near his home. The creek provided beauty during the change of seasons, water for animals, fishing holes for him to enjoy, and good bottomland to grow food on.

“I love soil because it provided a living for me when I was growing up,” Ridenhour said.

Ridenhour went to school in an eight-grade, one-room schoolhouse. He enjoyed reading books. History and geography were his favorite subjects as a child. He loved going to school because it taught him about the world as they had no television or newspaper.

“I could recite all of the capitals of the states and countries and I enjoyed American and German history, which is my heritage,” Ridenhour said.

Ridenhour did well in high school and was the class valedictorian. He had various jobs as a child, such as helping wash clothes, babysitting, helping with farm work, and taking care of a friend. He enjoyed occasionally earning a quarter from his aunt for extra spending money.

Ridenhour attended summer school while working in a restaurant. He gathered enough hours to teach at College Hill School, a one-room, eight-grade schoolhouse. In addition to teaching, he was also the janitor, activities supervisor, and other various jobs. After a few more college hours, he received a teaching job in Belle, Mo. Although he was happy to teach, he was drafted for the Korean War in 1952.

Ridenhour joined the army. He found basic training was awful. He learned to shoot, march, and gather skills for fighting. Ridenhour was a private, but was promoted to corporal. He applied for Air Force Cadet School because he wanted to be a pilot. He passed all of the tests to become a pilot, but his eye sight was not 20/20, so he accepted cadet training. This is where he was given the job of bombardier/navigator for B-25s.

“It was a great learning experience because we were flying in the air a lot, which I loved,” Ridenhour said.

Being involved with the air force brought a lot of discomfort for Ridenhour, but he established friendships and he was eventually elected cadet sergeant/major. Ridenhour also enjoyed being in the air force because he got to fly many places including: Greenland, Iceland, Great Britain, Europe, Mediterranean, North Africa, Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia.

“It was a real privilege to be in the air force,” Ridenhour said.

He easily could have made a career out of the air force, but a family member's illness brought a different career into perspective.

During Ridenhour’s time in the air force his only brother was hospitalized with a type of meningitis. The hospital staff took good care of his brother despite the fact they had no money. Ridenhour noted how kind, giving, talented, and knowledgeable the doctors were.

“At that point I decided to become a doctor,” Ridenhour said.

In 1956, Ridenhour began taking premedical courses at MU and was later accepted into medical school in 1959. He graduated medical school in 1963 and was ranked first out of 65 graduates.

“I absolutely loved it and felt it was my future,” he said.

Ridenhour said his favorite part about being a doctor is helping people and making them better. He believes strongly in the Golden Rule and keeps it in mind when practicing medicine, always treating others as he would like to be treated.

Bonnie Mantlo, friend to Ridenhour, said that the term physician barely describes Ridenhour. He is an intelligent, kind, and loving friend to her.
Mantlo feels Ridenhour taught her to love everyone, no matter how different they may be.

During Ridenhour’s time in Germany, he met a woman named Ruth who became his wife. Ruth had a friend in Detroit who sponsored her citizenship in the U.S. She eventually came to Columbia and married Ridenhour in December 1958. They have two children, Renee and Gary, and three granddaughters. Ridenhour enjoys helping and spending time with his family.

Ruth passed away in 2008. Ridenhour said his wife passing on has been the worst thing that has ever happened to him because she was his best friend.
He retired from his practice in general surgery in 1995. After retiring he traveled with his wife. He said he was glad they were able to spend time together without worrying about a schedule. Ridenhour and his wife also enjoyed taking care of their granddaughter for five years.

Beverly Neese, long-time neighbor to Ridenhour, described him as loving, caring, and generous. She appreciates when Ridenhour shares his flowers and gardening advice with her.

Ridenhour is still very active in the city of Columbia. These activities include: volunteering, going to church, Habitat for Humanity, hospice, and Masonic Lodge. 

“What I love about Columbia is the education process, which I have been a part of,” Ridenhour said.

Ridenhour loves music, the theater, some sports, and gardening. He likes that he has the opportunity to enjoy these things and still live in a rural setting.

“I love the foliage, soil, air, and privacy,” Ridenhour said.

He believes that the most important things in life are family, friends, accomplishments, and memories.

According to Ridenhour, accomplishments can include anything such as planting a good garden, writing a book, helping to cure a disease, being a wonderful neighbor, having a family, and being a good Christian.

“Gene is what a real man of God is all about,” Mantlo said. Ridenhour’s faith in God is evident in all who meet him.

“When you are alone and there is no one else to turn to, you can turn to your faith and it will carry you through,” Ridenhour said.

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