My condolences on the passing of John. I have so many fond memories of the Rotary friendship Exchange to Scotland. that our group from District 5360 took. I also worked with John at the District level and respected and valued his opinion.

Fran Leggett District Governor 2012- 2013

ON THE OCCASION OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE OF LATE ROTARIAN JOHN UNDERWOOD RIDGE

PHF

By Rotarian Francis X. Kyaluzi PHF+1 Rotary Club of Kalisizo and all The

Rotary Fraternity in Uganda

Sorrow fills our hearts during this sad moment, a sorrow that is deep and personal.

John has silently closed the door of life and departed from us. Our lives here in Uganda will be

empty in the areas that-he had brightened for us.

„The value of a Rotarian (which John was) should be seen in what he gives and not in what he Is

able to receive." In one word, John was a man who gave much of his resources, to ensure that the

less privileged around the World received humanitarian support to enhance their livelihoods. That is why ladies and

gentlemen as you all are gathered here to say goodbye to him, I would like to convey my, that of all Rotarians and

the communities that benefitted from his services our heartfelt condolences in celebration of his life. Here was a life

that demands notice....a life that extra amplified brilliance...a life that inspired emulation...a life that burned so that

others' paths were lit

I have known John since 2010 when I was part of the TRACC( Taking Rotary Assistance to The communities and

Children) John was a visionary who was brilliant, Innovative and creative. As such, he contributed much to the

TRACC project. He generously gave us his knowledge, his expertise, his skills etc…..

John was deeply concerned with improving our communities‟ livelihoods all times and he was very keen to

Innovate. I worked with John on a Water and Sanitation project as the International Contact person and this

project benefitted over 6000 people. We again worked together on the just completed “Water Is Life-Sanitation Is

Health” which positively impacted over 10,000 less privileged people in our communities and the benefits of all

these projects are enormous. John rehabilitated a number of boreholes for schools and community.

John has been a brother and a friend to me. I very much remember in 2016 when I visited Canada his family

hosted me for a week and I still remember the hospitality and I enjoyed his home. John visited Uganda several

times on Rotary projects. We shall miss him a lot.

FARE THEE JOHN,

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE

Dear Letha and family.,

Marjie and I send our sincere condolences on John’s passing. John was a wonderful individual; a warm, kind engaging gentleman and a great Rotarian. I know how dearly missed he will be by his family and he will be greatly missed by his Rotary friends.

With sincere sympathy

Marjie and Steve Allan.

Hello Dear Letha, Stephanie and Lauren,

There are hardly words to describe your husband and father. You are such a wonderful family and you, Letha and John, were always at the best music events in the city, smiling and steadily supporting the community of art in Alberta.

Quietly, until after a glass of wine, always cheerful, funny and insightful, John was happy to talk about a variety of interesting things and events. He was so knowledgeable and adventurous, although humble about his accomplishments.

It took years before I realized the extent of his involvement and philanthropy in Africa and some of the toughest places in the world. He'd just make an offhand comment or two, and after a second the listener would start at what he had actually said ; I used to think of him as the Happy Stealth Bomber !

Usually surrounded by smiling family, people and friends, you two or you four were pillars of any event or performance and in general in this city and Banff, too.

John was a great man, truly, in every sense of the word. He will be missed, but his presence and works will continue and so his accomplishments and joyous and generous spirit will persist.

Deepest sympathies to each of you,

Andrea Brussa

Letha & Family: condolences and deep regret. I came to know John through Rotary club of Calgary Downtown, where John was an outstanding and participating member, strongly demonstrating the motto of Rotary: "Service Above Self", which John particularly demonstrated with his strong participation in Rotary good works internationally in world's poorest countries. Sadly missed

Bill Kaufmann

Dear and family...

It is with profound sadness that Diana and I learned of John’s passing. While we have many memories of time shared together including a fabulous beef bourguignon one evening at your house for the Rotary dinner club we will certainly never forget time spent together with John in Uganda. Between our compliance tour of our various TRACC projects, Rotary meetings, and our trek through the Impenetrable Forest we shared a truly amazing experience. John cared deeply for those less fortunate and indeed translated his passion into action. All who have crossed his path have lifetime memories. We count ourselves fortunate to have made his acquaintance.

Dearest Letha and family,

We were deeply saddened to hear of John's passing; he will be greatly missed. John was a great man. We've had such engaging and interesting conversations with you both over the last several years at Banff Centre events, and it was always such a pleasure to see your smiling faces in the crowd. John was so happy and full of vitality when we last saw you both in November. During our conversation he mentioned what a "pure angel" you were for him after his surgery. He was beaming with pride and Love. The amazing support you've given to Banff Centre over the years has been priceless, we are here to support you now in any way we can. Sending our warmest thoughts and prayers to you and all the family.

Deepest condolences,

Bruce & Dawn Byford

Dear Lauren, Letha & Stephanie,

My sincerest thoughts of love to you.

As a young man, many years ago, joining Rotary, where I barely knew anyone, it would've been a somewhat intimidating first few months, but as it happened, a perfect gentleman walked up to me at that first meeting to make me feel welcome - John. He had the ability to make you feel relaxed in a formal setting & who knows how my experience would have turned out with him. Little moments of encouragement like this were repeated throughout my decade tenure at Rotary. I wonder how many lives he touched in similar fashion!

For that, I owe John a debt of gratitude, which I shall pass along, in memory of him, to other young men & women starting out in life.

Eddie Doyle.

NYC.

When I became a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Calgary East in 1999, John was one of the first Rotarians that I met from another club and what a genteel and gracious person he was. John became a dear Rotary friend whom I'll miss. My husband Brian Carnahan and I extend our deepest sympathies to Letha and the family for their loss.

Christine Rendell

2019-2020 District Governor

Rotary District 5360

To Letha and family, my sincere condolences on John's passing. We first met in the late 1970's where I was Program Director of CBC's flagship English language television station, CBLT, Toronto. We talked for about an hour. I offered him a job as a producer and the rest is history. RIP my friend.

Ron Devion, Brentwood Bay, B.C.

To Letha and family,

I’m so sorry for your loss. Your family has been such avid supporters of the musical community and John’s presence will be sorely missed by us all. I send all my love and support to you and your family during this difficult time.

Sara Hahn

Dear Letha and family,

Sheila and I offer our deepest condolences on the loss of John.

John has been a great contributor to his fellow life travellers, be it here in Calgary with family, Rotary, CPO and others, plus across Canada, abroad in Africa, Asia and beyond. He will be missed.

Bruce and Sheila Fenwick

To John's family, I lost contact with John when he left Yellowknife, but memories remain here, of the time he spent in the North. When it was time to work, he applied his leadership. When it was after hours he mixed well with all staff and we enjoyed his presence. I worked for CBC North as a whole, mostly not in television, but I saw John as a person dedicated to CBC North, while here. RIP John.

John was my counselor as an exchange student, he was so kind sharing his home and family my first weeks. Please, accept my deepest condolences for your loss.

Letha, Lauren and Stephanie,

Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of John's passing.

It is with great sadness we learned of John’s passing. He was both a mentor and a friend to us in Nicky’s time at Rotary. We also enjoyed meeting all of you, his family, and especially the discussions that ensued.

While it is no consolation in your time of loss, just know he made a wonderful impact on the lives of so many he strived to help, and even those he volunteered with. His passion for helping others was infectious. And he was frequently a force to be reckoned with.

Sadly, we are unable to give our respects in person as we are both now overseas.

With great sorrow,

Nicky & Simon

Dear Letha and Daughters -

John was a great guy and we were so sorry to hear of his passing. Great picture of John, as we will remember him.

Always great to see you and John, and we did have some good visits.

A great life and career, and don't know what more John could have done for an encore.

Our most sincere condolences

Gene and Wes Stephens

Letha,

Andrea and I were deeply saddened by the news of John's untimely death. What a wonderful, gracious, and caring man. He did so many things to give back and was unfailingly kind, polite, and generous to everyone he met.

We will always remember the night you were both over at a Rotary dinner club event and we laughed till our sides were sore, especially when one of our cats took a shine to the person who didn't like cats - you! You took in your stride as usual. It was a magical night.

We will always remember John - a life well lived!

Our thoughts are with you my dear.

David & Andrea Hood

I will always associate John with his support of Rotary projects especially Youth Exchange. He always had a kind word and though the world of his family...which is truly well deserved. I will miss talking with him at our meetings but am grateful for all that he accomplished in a wonderful life! Tom, (and Keri and Jordan) Keenan

Dear Letha,

I am extremely saddened by the news of John’s sudden death. Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss and be sure to call if you think of anything I can do for you, Stephanie and Lauren as you absorb this loss. I thoroughly enjoyed John, his humor, his commitment to the arts and to service, and sharing stories with him about Merton/Wimbledon, Canada’s North and Uganda. How many share such divergent interests or such interesting stories? He was an interesting, intelligent, generous and kind man, and our community is lesser for his passing. With sympathy, Pat Ruby

Dear Letha, We were so saddened to learn of John's sudden passing and we send our deepest condolences to you and your daughters at this most difficult time. John was such a wonderful force, brightening up every room with his stories, his insights, his opinions, and his positive approach to build genuine friendships with everyone he met. He was the kind of soul who genuinely enjoyed finding something special about each and every day, and sharing that gift. Of course his best smiles and eye twinkles were saved for the conversations of when he spoke of you, Stephanie, and Lauren. Thinking of you. Gay and Archie

My memory of John was an eventful trip to Inuvik. John looked after us girls when the spouses were busy working. A host extraudinare and lots of laughs.

Sadly missed by all --Kim Meehan-Hamel

Dear Letha, Lauren and Stephanie,

John was such a renaissance man with so many interests and commitments and cherished his family above all. Always a kind, thoughtful and cheerful individual, the world is a better place because of him and he will be deeply missed by so many. We can all do well to emulate him in the paths of our own lives.

Jim Campbell

Dearest Letha: John was such a thoughtful, kind and interesting man. It was a joy to talk to him about his adventures with the CBC, producing Pope John Paul II visit your Canada, and your life in the North. John worked with many of my personal hero’s and I’m very sorry he’s gone. Big hugs to you and your lovely daughters. Rosemary and Pierre and family.

Your neighbours in Canmore wish to pass along our thanks for John's membership on the Gladstone Board in past years. We are so sorry to learn of his passing. Our most sincere condolences on your family's loss. We will be thinking of you and hoping to see you soon for a cup of tea.

Anita Rossall,

Gladstone Board Chair

Mark and I feel very privileged to have met and become friends with John during our weekly "float and chat" sessions at Repsol. He was an enormously interesting man, possessed of a quick wit, passionate about his causes, and very proud of his daughters, Steph and Lolo, and his wife Letha. He will be deeply missed.

Our condolences to the family.

Mark and Brenda Jennings