Ronald K. Goodridge

Ronald K. Goodridge, 78, of Hancock, NH, died May 12, 2015, at home with his loving wife Lynn and his sister Mona at his bedside. He was born May 9, 1937, in Canaan, Maine, and was the son of the late Lillian and Walter Goodridge.

Ron graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in Civil Engineering. During those years he embarked on his dream of flying by becoming a pilot in the Maine Air National Guard. He completed his training as a fighter pilot at Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake, Washington, and Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama. As a Korean War Air Force veteran, he continued to pursue his passion by flying commercial jets for American Airlines. He earned the rank of Captain in 1978 and retired in 1997. Ron also founded Atlantic Air, a Connecticut commuter airline now known as Business Express.

Upon retirement, Ron spent years pursuing his flight-related hobby, bird watching as well as exploring the country in his motor home. A patriotic American, Ron loved talking politics and defending his conservative position for his beloved country. He was an avid reader of history, the sciences, mathematics and everything about the natural world. He had an innate thirst for lifelong learning and enjoyed sharing his wealth of knowledge with his children and grandchildren.

Ron is survived by his wife Lynn (Estep) Goodridge; his son Steven Goodridge and his wife Sue; his daughter Kelly Goodridge and her husband Oscar De Los Santos; his son Lance Goodridge; his stepson Greg Estep and his wife Susan; his stepdaughter Mindy Ignarri and her husband Bob; and his stepson Tom Estep and his wife Jenny. He is also survived by his sisters Joyce White and Mona Kinney; his brother Alan Goodridge and his wife Jean; his brother Frank Goodridge and his wife Beverly; his sister-in-law Marilee Hoffswell and her husband Harvey; and his brother-in-law Todd Mommsen and his wife Sharon.
Ron is also survived by his grandchildren Brendon and Ryan Goodridge; Alexander Taylor; Grant, Zachary, and Grace Goodridge; step-grandchildren Steven and his wife Victoria and their son Lucas (Ron’s great grandchild), Ben and his wife Sarah, and Paul Estep; Grace, Tom, and Jane Ignarri; and Garrett and Wilbur Estep.

Ron’s family and friends affirm that he was a man of great integrity and always strove for excellence. Of strong mind, gracious spirit, and generous heart, he was a realist as well as a lover of the arts. Lines from Ron’s poem “Iron Birds,” written to commemorate his retirement from American Airlines, also apply to his last journey: “I’m on final approach now and the runway is in sight / I’ll be landing soon—and my life will be changed forever.” He was a kind father, a loving husband, and a respected brother and friend. He will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, NH, on June 6, 2015, at 2 p.m. A private celebration of Ron’s life will also take place on Block Island, RI in July.

In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation in Ron’s name to Hospice at HCS; PO Box 496, Peterborough, NH 03458 or the American Bird Conservancy; PO Box 249, The Plains, VA 20198