William Rydell Jr.

It is with sadness in our hearts that we mourn the passing of William (Bill) Birger Rydell, Jr. He was born on June 22, 1931 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, the son of William Birger Rydell, Sr. and Helen Bullard Rydell, baby brother to Caroly Rydell Murray. He lived his childhood years in the idyllic woods of Wisconsin. He survived a childhood bout of polio, was introduced by his mother to birding, learned to play golf, collect stamps, and appreciated many intellectual pursuits. He moved with his mother to Brookline, Mass when his parents divorced, graduating from high school at Brookline High in 1949. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard College, graduating in 1953. While at Harvard, he met his first wife, Barbara Botsford. They married in Wellesley, Mass in 1952. After graduation from Harvard, Bill and Barbara moved to Chicago so he could attend Northwestern Medical School. Bill was an accomplished medical student, inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. While in Chicago, 2 sons, William Birger III and James were born. The young family then moved to Hanover, NH for completion of Bill’s surgical residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Memorial Hospital. Residency was interrupted by the US Air Force, serving 2 years at Beale AFB in Marysville, CA. Daughter Gale was born while in Hanover.

After residency completion, the best opportunity for surgical practice presented itself in Las Vegas, NV. Another cross-country move ensued. Bill was an accomplished surgeon and member of the medical community during his 26 years of surgical practice. He became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He enjoyed a surgical partnership with Douglas Miller, MD, then solo practice, then formed General Surgical Associates with Drs. Colquitt and Banich, later adding Drs. Yeaton and McBride. During his years in Las Vegas, he was a member of Southwest Rotary Club, serving as president. Additionally, he was president of the Clark County Medical Society and the Nevada Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. He was elected into the prestigious Western Surgical Association in 1980. He actively served as mentor for surgical residents and medical students at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Always the surgical personality, he was tough, decisive, and acted with conviction.

Bill and Barbara divorced in 1975, and he married Mary Wallstead the same year in Coronado, CA. They enjoyed spending much of their free time in Coronado until 2011, when increased health concerns necessitated the sale of their beach condominium. Bill and Mary have travelled extensively, to all corners of the earth, mostly in pursuit of birds, which are often located near sewage pools, garbage dumps, and individual backyard feeders. Bill retired from his surgical practice in 1990, and he and Mary relocated to Pebble Beach, CA in 1991, where they remained until 2012. The year of 1992 Bill devoted to birding, publishing a book detailing his pursuit. During that year he added 714 North American bird species to his ABA list, flew 194 flight segments, landed at 52 different airports, covered 35,000 miles, spent 23 days at sea on pelagic trips, and wore through a pair of hiking boots, enjoying every minute of it.

While in Pebble Beach, Bill and Mary enjoyed the forest, the ocean, the mild climate, the golf, and their friendships. They hosted family celebrations for holidays, and Bill’s 70th and 80th birthdays were large gatherings with friends and relatives who traveled from afar to enjoy the festivities. Declining health brought them north to Oregon, to be closer to the help of family in 2012. He enjoyed his time at retirement communities in Oregon, and especially enjoyed time spent with family.

Bill will always be remembered as a meticulous surgeon and a shrewd planner of life. Though his sharp mind and keen memory declined over the past few years, his unending dry wit and generous support of family continued until his last days. His final exit was rapid, and we thank the hospital staff at St Vincent’s Hospital for their compassion and professionalism. He coincidentally left this world on the same day that his father departed 36 years prior, November 24.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, sisters Caroly and Cynthia, brother Peter, niece and nephew, his children, William III (Karen), James and Gale, 7 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Funeral arrangements by Pegg, Paxson, and Springer at www.peggpaxsonspringerfuneralchaper.com.