Donald Vernon Don Rider
October 17, 1938 ~ April 11, 2020
Donald “Don” Vernon Rider, 81, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on April 11, 2020. He was born October 17, 1938. He married Ruth (Walburn) on November 2, 1958, and they had three sons. Don married Bette I. (Post) Hays on June 27, 1980 in Wichita, Kansas where they lived until his death. Don lived life abundantly. He was a geologist, real estate broker, entrepreneur, windsurfing instructor, master fisherman, hunter, camper, and scuba diver who loved everything water related. Preceding Don in death were his parents, Lillian Mae (Richardson) and Donald Calvin Rider, step-father Carl Nicholas, sister Patricia (Rider) Engelland. Don is survived by wife Bette, Wichita; his sons Calvin (Ann) Wichita; Kevin (Liz) Kansas City, KS; Kurt (Julie) Hays, KS; step-sons Dean Hays, Morgan Hill, CA; Terry (Sandy) Hays, Carl Junction, MO; David Hays, Richland, WA; 12 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 9 step-great-grandchildren. Services will be held at a later date. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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We miss you Dad!! You were definitely a leader, not a follower. You taught us all how to live life to the fullest. We love you!!
So very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I have wonderful memories of our time together at Wichita State University during the late 1970.s, studying geology, camping and fossil hunting at Wilson Lake. Too many great memories to list. Donna and I loved spending time with Don and Bette over the years. He will definitely be missed.
Bette, Calvin, & family – I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I will always remember meeting Don & Bette on a mission trip to Colorado in 1997, where Kale & I shared a cabin with them (and a few spiders). Later, I was privileged to work for them for a time. Don was always fun-loving, and taught me a lot about the oil business. My heartfelt condolences.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.