Rolf Patterson Ridgway, of Kenmore, WA, passed away June 20, 2024, at age 78 from complications recovering from hip surgery.

Rolf was born on April 13, 1946, in Olympia, WA and lived in Rainier, WA and later Longview, WA where he graduated from Kelso High School in 1964 and immediately enlisted in the US Marine Corp. He actively served 1964-66 as an airborne instructor in Hawaii and was honorably discharged as a corporal from the reserves in 1970. As a reservist, he attended Western Oregon University, studying criminal justice. He married three times, to Darlene (1964), Kay (1973) and Gayle (1993) and had three children, Frank (Darlene), Julie and Joshua (Kay). He had many jobs in his life, but his longest career was his last, spending 20 years driving long haul commercial trucks all over the western United States and training other drivers along the way.

He had a deeply generous heart and played the lottery until his passing, hoping to win big and help everyone in his path. He was very charismatic, full of humor and adventure and was very appealing to the ladies most of his life. He was a rebel, a dreamer, a risk taker, and a wanderer, as demonstrated by his love of treasure hunting in the 80s, building agricultural enthusiast facilities into the 90s and later traveling the US as a trucker, making many friends along the way. He was deeply political and would argue for what he believed to be right, wanted to protect his loved ones and could make a great Fried Saimin, a noodle dish he learned in Hawaii. His favorite band was Tangerine Dream, and he had collected many albums over the decades, which he continued to enjoy in his later years along with Sudoku puzzles and mystery novels. He had a quip for all occasions, an endearing nickname for those he cared for, and a deep-seated hatred for telemarketers. He deeply loved his children, family and friends and would regularly call and keep in touch until the very end and offer whatever he could provide for others’ comfort.

Surviving are his three children, Frank, Julie, and Josh; five grandchildren Mindee and Aaron (Frank), Elizabeth (Josh), and Jaina and Kaedin (Julie); and two great grandchildren Alex and William (Mindee); as well as siblings, his twin Sue, and older brother Noel.

Rolf now joins his parents, James and Eleanor, brothers David and Mike, and sister Marilyn.

A service or celebration of life has yet to be planned; family are grieving privately.