Robert "Bob" Ridl, 80, of Bowman passed away at the St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

Mass of Christian Burial for Bob will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman. Fr. David Morman will celebrate the Mass with burial to follow in the St. Charles Catholic Cemetery. There will be a Rosary and Scripture Service on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. a the St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman. Memorials are suggested to the St. Charles Catholic Guardian Angel Fund, St. Jude's Children Research Center, Bowman Ambulance, Bowman Fire Department and the Bowman School of Promise, Bowman American Legion and the Bowman Knights of Columbus.

Robert (Bob) Isadore Louis Ridl was born in a farm house near South Heart, ND on April 4, 1933, to Stephen and Elizabeth (Brablec) Ridl. He was the oldest of 10 children. Bob went to country school through grade four when the Ridl family then moved to the Brablec farm near South Heart. Bob attended school in South Heart for grades five through eight. Bob helped his dad and neighbors with the farm work, and he then went to work for Young Exploration in Grassy Butte, ND.

Robert was drafted into the US Army in April of 1953. He completed six months of training in Infantry, Engineering, and Signal Corps. After training, Bob was sent to Korea and was assigned to the Korea Civil Assistance Command for two years. Bob received the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nation Service Medal, and a Korean Service Medal. After returning to the States, he was on stand-by reserve for an additional six years before receiving an honorable discharge.

While working as a meat salesman at Queen City Packing in Dickinson, ND, he met Vicki Cymbaluk, who worked at the Farmer's Union gas station in South Heart. They were united in marriage on September 18, 1956, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Belfield, ND. Bob and Vicki moved to Bowman in 1958, where Pete Cymbaluk and Bob started Bowman Ready Mix. In August 1958, Bob became sole owner of the company. The blessings of five children were born into this union: Nancy, Alvin, James, Joan, and Lisa. The Ready Mix continued to grow, and soon, Vicki and their sons and a special hired hand and dedicated employee, Morris Erickson, worked by his side. Bob's other passions in life included raising cattle, fishing, playing cards, and his grandchildren.
Bob leaves his loving wife, Vicki, of 57 years, his family: Nancy (Darrell) Hermanson of Kathryn, ND; Alvin (Marsha) Ridl of Bowman, ND; James (Susan) Ridl of Bowman, ND; Joan (Will) Patrick of Mandan, ND, Lisa (Terry) Hermanson of Mandan, ND, and extended family John Paulson and Karla (Paulson) Beneke. Bob is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Justin Hermanson, Brandi (Joe) Hedin, Kelsey Hermanson (Josh Ehlers), Brad Ridl, Amanda Ridl, Josh (Jenna) Ridl, Jared Ridl, Abby Patrick, Ashley Patrick, Cole Hermanson, and Casie Hermanson, and 5 great-grandchildren: Tristan Ridl, Ellie Ridl, Reese Ridl, Addisyn Hermanson, and Oaklyn Hedin. He also leaves behind brothers Don and Ken Ridl, sisters Dorothy Nicklos, Mary Ann Nordaby, Darlene Pratt, and Delores Bovino.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Elizabeth, infant brother George, brother Steve, sister Ida, and his precious granddaughter Jessica.

Bob was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, the American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus. His most prized accomplishments are his growing family and seeing Bowman Ready Mix expand to a 3rd generation.

We know Bob will be grinning making his final ride past Bowman Ready Mix in the new loader that he never yet had the pleasure to drive.