Alan Wistar Riddiford, 85, of Aurora, IL, son of the late Arthur B. and Frances (Hubbard) Riddiford, peacefully passed away at Franciscan Village, Lemont, IL on June 2, 2022. He was born on March 27, 1937, in Rockford, IL. Alan graduated as valedictorian from Rockford West High School in 1955. From 1955 to 1961 he studied at Cornell University graduating with a bachelor's degree in engineering physics. He then attended Harvard University earning an advanced degree in Applied Mathematics in 1963. After working for some years at Beloit Corporation and Continental Can Company, he taught Physics from 1978 to 1983 at Marmion Military Academy, Aurora, IL. During these years of teaching, Alan converted to Catholicism and became an active Oblate of St. Benedict of Marmion Abbey, an association he enjoyed until his death. He was a faithful and generous supporter of Marmion Abbey's Guatemala mission.
In 1983 he was employed at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, IL, retiring in 1996. Since the year 2000 Alan happily spent over 20,000 hours volunteering at Provena Mercy Hospital in Aurora, assisting with their computer data bases, only stopping his volunteer work in 2019 when his health began to deteriorate. Aware of his deteriorating health, Alan decided to live at Franciscan Village where he spent his last three years. During these years he received the exceptional and compassionate care from the entire staff of caregivers of Franciscan Village, assisting Alan to peacefully end his life's journey and return to our Lord.
Memorial visitation will be at Marmion Abbey's Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury, 850 Butterfield Road in Aurora on Saturday, June 25th, at 9:00 am. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am. Burial of cremains will follow immediately at the Marmion Abbey cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Alan's name to Marmion Abbey or Marmion Academy, Aurora, IL.
Funeral arrangements by THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY. 220 N. Lake St. Aurora IL 60506. 630-631-5500.