Dean G. Ridgley

Dean G. Ridgley, age 90, of Washington, District of Columbia died suddenly but peacefully on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at his daughter's home, where he lived since 2014. Dean was born February 16, 1932 in Pulcifer, Wisconsin, where his mother ran a speakeasy while his father, a boilermaker, traveled for work with the government.

Dean grew up in Green Bay from the age of 8, after his father died. He enlisted in the Navy during the Korean conflict, using his ham radio operator skills to become a radioman 2nd class on the aircraft carrier USS Siboney out of Norfolk, Virginia. His tour of the Mediterranean launched his lifelong love of travel.

Returning to Green Bay, he began an on-call TV repair service (he could fix just about anything) and later opened audio, TV and appliance stores that eventually merged into Dean’s TV, Appliance and Hi-Fi. His store was a respected household name in Green Bay for more than 30 years. He built a loyal customer base with his showmanship flair and by following the motto, "the customer is always right." Active in civic affairs throughout his career, he sponsored scholarship funds, science fair projects, community events and was an active member of many clubs. He was named Brand Name Retailer of the Year 1975-1976 and traveled to Washington, DC, to accept an award from the White House. When he retired, he planned to tend to his garden and continue with his woodworking hobby. But on a fluke, he bought back the Pulcifer bar and, a consummate people person, he ran it nonstop, enjoying all the local color and conversations for another decade before retiring for good.

Dean had a charming, larger-than-life personality, filled with wisdom and wit. Young and old gravitated to his timeless sense of humor. He relished meeting people wherever he traveled and could adapt to any situation with grace and humor. He inspired his daughter Heidi’s passion for travel, animals, lifelong learning, storytelling, history, equality, eternal optimism and laughter.

He grew up with FDR as his political hero and loved visiting the president’s memorial when visiting his daughter in DC every year for Christmas. In his late 70s, he insisted on road-tripping from Wisconsin with a friend to see President Obama get inaugurated on the National Mall.

He was the life of the party until the very end. His favorite toast in his later years was, “Hope you live forever and I never die.”

He will be missed immeasurably.

He leaves behind Heidi (Washington, DC), his son John (Wisconsin) and daughter Wendy Kunesh (Wisconsin), his grandchildren: Ashley (Spain), Justin and Ryan Kunesh (Wisconsin), four grandchildren: Vera, Felix, Tyson and Reese, and a host of beloved friends and other relations, including his sister-in-law Judy Ridgley (Spielbauer).

He was preceded in death by his parents Royce and Mabel (Vanderveren), wife Shirley (Wolhfeil), brothers Robert and Ronn, sisters Joyce "Mickey" Johnson and Lois "Peggy" Thorpe, his grandson Dustin Ridgley, niece and nephew Carrie and Robert Ridgley, nephew Tom Thorpe and his beloved cousin, Jacqueline Kriewaldt (who called him reguarly to laugh and reminisce even after he moved to DC), along with many adopted dogs and cats over the years.

Deep thank you to his No. 1 buddy Gonzalo Loayza, a gem of a neighbor who spent almost every day with Dean for the last year, playing his favorite big band and jazz music and singing, laughing and dining with him. Thanks to Gonzalo, the last words Dean heard and the last words he said back were “I love you.”

Also a huge thanks to the Washington, DC VA, where Dean had the most amazing doctors, especially Dr. Nadine Dubowitz, his primary care physician, and the VA in general for all it did to allow him to stay safe, happy and active in the home of his daughter until his last day. Also, a special thanks to the staff of the Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Daycare Program, which provided him with many years of engaging activities and adoration.

Until we laugh together again, dad.

Dean's ashes will be inurned at the columbarium in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. A celebration of his life in Green Bay and Washington, D.C., will be upcoming.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.josephgawlers.com for the Ridgley family.