Dr. Stuart (Doc) Ryder
Doc Ryder’s Impact on the Judson Community
After Doc’s passing in May, 2021, days before his 92nd birthday, Warren Anderson, the director of the Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts, wrote, “During Judson’s forthcoming celebration of Doc’s life, many of us will testify as to his impact on our lives, but I thought I’d offer a preview of those coming attractions (Doc would like that phrase; he was a huge film buff) with a few quotes from current and former DCWPA community members and those of a few folks from other areas across campus. If you didn’t get a chance to know Doc, you’ll catch a glimpse of him here:
Dr. Sharon Kim, Prof. of English: “Few people have loved Judson so well and given so much to build and strengthen this fledgling college into a university. We will miss him very much—his humor, his love of Melville, Hawthorne, and Fitzgerald, his godly friendship, and his affection for cats. Farewell, Doc. May ‘flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.’”
Sari Lash, DCWPA alumna: “I am so grateful for Doc’s legacy and can’t imagine the DCWPA without his stamp on it.”
Prof. Michael Folker, Director, of the Judson University Community School of Musical Arts and Director, Percussion Ensemble: “Doc endeared himself to me from the very first e-mail correspondence after our initial Percussion Ensemble concert. His encouragement was infectious, and he impressed me with his knowledge of and passion for music and especially his love for Christ.”
Prof. Bret Koontz, Adjunct Prof. of Communication Arts: “Doc’s impact and influence on Judson may never be fully understood or measured by all who are part of the institutional family. Though I came to know him later in his life, I am grateful to have learned about Doc’s generosity, strength, intellect, dedication, and devotion through the stories alumni have told.”
Prof. G.E. Colpitts, Prof. of Art and Design: “Doc was an inspiration to me from the day I first set foot on Judson’s campus. Clear, insightful, incisive, witty, smart, smart, smart: everything I aspired to—and still aspire to. He gave me good advice. Agreed with me when I went against the flow. Always thought I was 10 years younger than I am (why DIDN’T that man ever get married????). Requiem in pace, Doc.”