James “Jim” Ridihalgh, 74, of Oelwein, died peacefully on Saturday, December 21, 2019, from complications related to cancer. Visitation will be from 3:00-6:00 PM on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein. Memorial services will then begin at 6:00 PM.
Jim was born February 7, 1945, in Oelwein, the son of Robert and Betty (Potter) Ridihalgh. He graduated from Oelwein High School, went to the University of Iowa until he enlisted in the United States Army. On October 8, 1966, he and Linda (Van Vooren) married at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence. He served in Vietnam from 1969-70 and was honorably discharged in 1971. He graduated from UNI in 1973 with an accounting degree. He returned to Oelwein to work as a CPA and in 1975 started the firm now known as RFSW.
Jim was a lifelong athlete. He wrestled competitively in high school, spent many summers with friends and family biking across Iowa, and loved swimming. He passed on his love of the water to his daughters and continued to swim until last month. He enjoyed being outside, either on his deck, at the Mississippi River with friends and family, or near an ocean when he travelled. He transformed his backyards into beautiful gardens, experimented with unusual plants, and shared seedlings with friends and family. Jim was a skilled and enthusiastic artist, especially in recent years, and took pleasure in painting with Jennifer and his grandsons. He was a prolific reader and liked discussing books with others. Jim was always grateful that he loved going to work every day, grew his business with knowledgeable partners, had the best staff, and took pleasure in growing his relationships with clients.
Jim is survived by his wife Linda; daughters Susan (Chris Korn), of Chicago, and Jennifer, a world traveler; grandsons Alexander and Benjamin Korn; brother John Ridihalgh of Columbus, Ohio; and his fun nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son Jason in 1969, parents-in-law Charles and Vera Van Vooren; and sisters-in-law Linda Ridihalgh, Lucille Efting, and Betty Hill.
Jim urged us all to spend time doing things we enjoyed and believed that the good we put into the world comes back to us. To share his spirit, please consider making a donation to the Oelwein Public Library, Fontana Park, or something meaningful to you.
