Greenville - Dr. Ralph K. Ryder, died November 7, 2016, at EMMC in Bangor. He was born December 23, 1934, in Greenville, son of Edwin and Faustina (Knight) Ryder. Ralph was a graduate of Greenville High School, Farmington State Teachers College, University of Maine, Orono and Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Ralph’s professional career started as a teacher and principal in Bingham, moving on to Bethel, as Assistant Superintendent and then Superintendent of Schools for 6 years. After receiving his doctorate at Wayne State University, he taught at Michigan State University in Grand Rapids. He returned to his home town of Greenville as Superintendent of Schools in S.A.D. No. 2 and No.12 and then moved to East Millinocket as Superintendent in Union 113 until his retirement in 1992. Ralph belonged to many professional organizations during his career including President of the Maine State Superintendent’s Association and a member of the Board of Directors of the New England Superintendents Association. He served on the Maine State Basketball Commission for many years and many civic organizations too numerous to mention. He was a 50+ year member of Columbia Doric Masonic Lodge, Greenville, Anah Shrine, Bangor and life member of Northern Penobscot Shrine Club. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 0094 in Greenville, the Maine Association of Retirees and the Union Evangelical Church (UCC) in Greenville. Ralph was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1956 and had served as Company Clerk while stationed in Germany. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Dorothy (Cole) Ryder of Veazie; sons, Richard Jackson of Ellsworth, Allan Ryder and wife, Karen, of Lancaster, NH; daughter, Kathryn Ryder Andrews and husband, Brent, of Brooksville; and grandchildren, Cole Andrews, Katelyn Ryder, Abby Andrews and Nicholas Ryder; brother, Mahlon Ryder and wife, Deana, sisters-in-law, Charlotte Dickinson, Sandra Ryder, Betty Ryder, and Melanie Ryder Huff; brother-in-law, Terrence Dunbar and wife, Betty; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and step-father, Ralph “Shorty” Henderson, Ralph was predeceased by four brothers, Charles, John, Edwin and Howard; two sisters, Virginia and Frances; sister-in-law, Mary, and brother-in-law, Wayne. Ralph and wife, Dot, enjoyed his retirement taking many trips and cruises throughout the world. He enjoyed his time at camp on Wilson Pond in Greenville and always kept busy puttering around the house, camp and garden. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1-2 pm at The Union Evangelical Church in Greenville on Friday, November 11, 2016, where a memorial service will be held at 2 pm. Interment with military honors will be at Greenville Cemetery and a reception will be held afterwards at the Masonic Temple. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Care of Maine, 33 Whiting Hill Rd., Brewer, ME 04412 or The Union Evangelical Church, P.O. Box 368, Greenville, ME 04441. Arrangements by Lary Funeral Home, Greenville. Condolences may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.