Robert "Bob" Mathew Ryding

Bob Ryding, age 84, commercial fisherman for over 50 years, passed away in Astoria, Oregon, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014.
Bob’s parents, Eino and Aino Ryding, began their family on ten acres in the small community of Bradbury, Oregon, close to Quincy, on the Columbia River. Bob was the fourth of eight children, and at an early age began commercial gillnetting with his father on the Columbia. The family later moved to Clatskanie, Oregon, and he attended schools there, graduating from Clatskanie High School in 1946.
After high school, he entered the Army, serving in Japan as a military policeman, and in 1951 he married Lois L. Canham. They moved to Astoria, where their two sons were born, and he became a respected commercial fisherman, second to none.
He was a strong, hard-working man who did not waste words, and who impressed upon his children the importance of hard work. He fished in Alaska as a Cook Inlet gillnetter and Kodiak purse seiner, and off the coasts of Oregon, Washington and California for tuna, Dungeness crab, and groundfish. His sons remember, not always fondly, those early morning crossings of the Columbia River bar.
Bob was preceded in death by his brothers John and Alan, and sister Phyllis; also by his wife Lois, in 1990. This kind, good man is very fondly remembered by many family members: his wife Roberta Ryding, of Astoria, whom he married in 1991, and his sisters Irene Hearn of Lincoln City, Norma Dement of McMinnville, Terry Adams of Portland, and Barbara Cordell of Scappoose. He is also survived by his sons Scott Ryding and wife Katie, of Astoria, and Ross Ryding and wife Candace, of Tillamook, OR; stepdaughters Lisa Allgeyer and husband Roy, of Astoria, Vicki Palo of Astoria, and Kristen Sherman of Sandy, OR. He is also survived by many grandchildren: Rebecca Mello, Kirsten Hunt, Robert Ryding, Gregory Ryding, Adriana Ryding, and Jeffrey Ryding. Also, many stepgrandchildren: Terra Duey, Jennilee Petersen, Marissa, Brittany, and Tayla McGinnis, Megan and Brooke Sherman, and twelve great-grandchildren.
He was a lifetime member of the Elks, and belonged to Shriner’s International and the Uniontown Association.
Friends and former boat-pullers are warmly invited to join the family as we celebrate his life at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 15, 2014, at Suomi Hall, located at 244 W. Marine Drive, Astoria.
Donations in memory of Bob can be made to Shriners Childrens Hospital in Portland, OR; the Maritime Memorial Park, Astoria; or a charity of your choice.