Robert “Bob” Edward Ridgway, 77, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, September 4, 2025, after a long illness.
Robert was born on August 8, 1948, in the Woodburn neighborhood of Morgantown, the son of the late James Raymond and Helen Christine Hudson Ridgway.
Bob was a 1966 graduate of Morgantown High School. He attended Spruce Street United Methodist Church. He was retired from the United Mine Workers of America after working at the Arkwright and Robinson Run mines. He later worked for H&R Block as a tax preparer.
He had a love for fishing and hunting that was developed from a young age and continued throughout his life. He was a member of the Preston County Country Club. He loved both playing and watching golf.
After retirement, he became passionate about photography and also had a love for travel. He especially enjoyed taking landscape photos and photos of sunrises and sunsets at home and throughout his travels to 47 of the 50 states.
He is survived by his loving wife, Anna Hayes Ridgway; children: Susan (Steven) Jones, Julie (Brian) Hixenbaugh, Leigh Anne (Darrell) Schiebel and John Hayes; daughter-in-law, Lindsey Hayes; his nine grandchildren: Aaron (Emily) Lewis, Austen (Elizabeth) Lewis, Rachel Schiebel, John (Lara) Hayes, Heather Hayes, Adalee Hayes, Aliza Hayes, Tim Hayes and Ashley Hayes; his four great-grandchildren: Skyleigh Lewis, Wyatt Lewis, Adonis Ruiz-Lewis and Ava Ruiz-Lewis; his brothers, Tom (Patty) Ridgway and Mike Ridgway; and sisters, Mary Reed and Joyce Richardson. He is also survived by several beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Ann Kuhn Ridgway, in 2010; his step-son, W. Scott Hayes; his great-granddaughter, Ember Lela Ruiz-Lewis; his brothers, Troy Dean and Charles Ridgway, and his sister, Shirley Williams.
Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, from 10 until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, with the Reverend Bart Thompson officiating. Private inurnment will take place at Zion Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cystic Dreams Fund to support families impacted by the huge costs cystic fibrosis can generate, PO Box 5415, Gloucester, MA 01930-0006, cysticdreamsfund.com or the Spruce Street United Methodist Church, 386 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Send condolences online hastingsfuneralhome.com.
