Harry E. Ryder, 92

    Harry E. Ryder was reunited with his wife and eldest son in Heaven when he died on March 8, 2025 in Dover, DE.
    Harry was born on Oct. 26, 1932, in Gulph Mills, PA., to Weldon and Edith Ryder.
    Harry attended Collegeville-Trappe High School in Collegeville, Pa. He graduated in 1950 and attended Ursinus College, where he studied business administration.
    He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1956 and was a Korean War veteran. Harry was stationed at Bainbridge, Maryland; San Diego California; Guam; and the USS Vesuvius AE-15 at Port Chicago, California. He was Honorably Discharged as a Teleman Second Class.
    Harry met his wife, Patricia, while on leave from the Navy and they were married in 1956 in Norristown, PA. Harry worked in the Material and Purchasing Department for the Pennsylvania Railroad, which later became Conrail and retired after 43 years.
    He and Pat lived in Collegeville, and Georgetown and Seaford, DE. After Pat died, Harry eventually downsized his home and moved to Dover.
    Harry was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Seaford. He enjoyed lawn work, travel, gardening, woodworking, fishing and camping. Harry was a hard-working family man who always kept busy working on projects around his home and he enjoyed watching old Westerns.
    Harry was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, his eldest son, William of Georgetown, and a brother, Thomas, of Florida.
    Harry is survived by a son and daughter-in law, Allan and Melanie Ryder of Smyrna, DE, a daughter-in-law, Teresa Ryder of Seaford, grandchildren Amber Ryder of Seaford and Luke Ryder of Smyrna, and a cat, Mr. Asher.
    A visitation will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 14 at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, DE with funeral services beginning at noon.
    Burial and committal services will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 17 at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Seaford, DE.
    Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna, DE.