October 9, 1998: Volume 44, Number 5

Friends Say Farewell to Bob Ridings; Remembered as Union's 'Dutchman'

Friends and family on Thursday said farewell to Robert Ridings Sr. with a campus funeral that included — among other things unique to the man — a final blast from the cannon he fired to celebrate touchdowns at football games.

Robert Ridings Sr., who for decades was the Dutchman mascot for Union College athletics, died on Saturday at the age of 81.

During his 48 years with the College, as athletic equipment manager and later as intramural equipment manager, thousands came to know him as the congenial man who dispensed equal parts of equipment and good-natured teasing from his "cage" at Memorial Field House, and later at Alumni Gymnasium.

Ridings and his cannon were fixtures at most home football games. As a Union score looked imminent, Ridings would move over to his cannon to prepare for a firing. Seconds after a touchdown, the cannon boomed and a cloud of white smoke would obscure the cannoneer. The crowd would roar its approval, as much for Ridings and his cannon as for the Union team.

"It's great," he once said, "except when the west wind is too strong and it forces the smoke back into the barrel. Then we sometimes have complications."

Ridings also used the cannon to start running races at alumni events and cross country meets.

For many football games, Ridings was dressed in a Dutchman costume complete with yellow wig and the deep-bowled pipe he used to smoke. At work in the "cage," he often wore a Union baseball jersey over his shirt and tie. He always wore a Union baseball hat.

The College each spring presents the Robert B. Ridings Award to a senior woman for her attitude, ability, participation and achievement in intercollegiate sports.

He was retired, but continued to work part time until he became ill last summer.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Anne Solarski Ridings; a daughter, Dessa Anderson; and a son, Robert Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert M. Ridings Memorial Scholarship Fund at the College.

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