David Calhoun Ridgeway, 82, passed away on November 19th due to an aneurism. David was a true southern gentleman born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended high school at Porter Military Academy in Charleston and, shortly after graduation, enlisted into the air force. He served during the Korean War and was stationed at a radar base in the state of Washington. While based there he met and dated Marina Margetts, who lived in the small town of Grand Forks, just across the border in British Columbia. At the end of his duty they married and moved back to South Carolina, where he attended the University of South Carolina-Columbia and earned a master's degree in geology. He spent his career working in this field and conducted geological exploration in the states of Wyoming, Texas, Missouri, and New Mexico. In 1969 he accepted a position with the Kennecott Minerals Corporation and managed their Bear Creek Mining Company field office that was based out of Biwabik. His company played a significant role in the identification and mapping of the copper-nickel ore bodies in northeast Minnesota, from the late 1960's to mid 70's. He later accepted a position with Great Northern Iron Ore Properties, in Hibbing, and worked there until his retirement in 1995.
David was a member of the Scottish Rite Chapter of the Masons, the Society of Metallurgical Engineers, and the United Methodist Church of Hibbing. He was also a member and active participant in the Gideon's. David had an ongoing interest in geological formations and minerals, and was known for picking up anything that caught his attention and examining it with his pocket magnifying glass. He loved to teach and talk about anything having to due with geology.
David was a man of kind spirit and willingness to help anyone in need. He was a very articulate and soft spoken gentleman, with a hint of an enduring southern accent. He was talented with the piano and loved entertaining family and friends with his diverse and lively repertoire, proudly pointing out that his musical talents were often sought out by buddies while in the military. He also loved to do oil paintings on nature and older buildings, such as farmhouses and plantations. He loved to watch football, particularly his alma-mater the Carolina Gamecocks. Last, but not least, he'll be remembered for his great sense of humor, which was a gift shared by him and several of his siblings.
David was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Marina; two siblings, Ted Ridgeway who resides Georgia and Amelia Hunley in Florida; four children: David Ridgeway, Bryan & Renee (Angelo) Ridgeway, Derrik & Beverly (Ridgeway) Clay, and Patricia Ridgeway; five grandchildren: Gabriel & Jacqueline (Buechler) Ridgeway, Grant Ridgeway, Courtney Clay, Samuel Clay, and Walker Clay; and two great-grandchildren: Kaleb Ridgeway, and Gabriella Ridgeway.
Services will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Hibbing this Saturday, November 24th. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 and the service at 1:30. The public is invited to attend. Inurnment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing.
Family services are provided by Anderson-Daniels, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Hibbing. To express condolences on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.


Visitation 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm ,Saturday, November 24, 2012
Wesley United Methodist Church
303 East 23rd Street Hibbing, MN 55746
Memorial Service 1:30 pm ,Saturday, November 24, 2012
Wesley United Methodist Church
303 East 23rd Street Hibbing, MN 55746
Inurnment Saturday, November 24, 2012
Hibbing Park Cemetery
12057 Hwy 169 Hibbing, MN 55746