Submitted by: Dan Rich
Charles P. Ryder
Sept. 6, 1948 - Aug. 16, 2002
South Bend Tribune 8/19/2002
Charles P. "Charlie" Ryder,
54, passed away Friday night at Memorial Hospital after a brief
illness. He was born in South Bend on September 6, 1948 to Harold
and Billie Ryder who preceded him in death. Charlie is survived
by his former wife, Virginia "Ginny" McVay, and
best friends Paul Busch of South Bend and Thorn Shay
of Hollywood, Florida. Charlie also leaves behind many other
close friends and colleagues in the food and beverage industry in
South Bend and the nation.
Charlie was recently employed at Eastern
Pacific Grille and Bar as General Manager. Over the past decade
he played key roles in the development and opening of LaSalle
Grill, where he served many years as Beverage Director and
Sommelier. Charlie also was employed with Olinger Beverages, Inc.
as Director of Fine Wines and Premium Spirits for the Northern
Division of Indiana. Charlie grew up in nearby Lydick, Indiana
and attended the New Carlisle school system from kindergarten
through high school graduation in 1966. He enrolled in Ball State
University, graduating in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in
Communications. Charlie was employed as a local radio personality
while attending Ball State and was a classmate of David
Letterman. After graduation, Charlie employed his major,
producing and directing a short film entitled "Jolly
Roger" with close friends Steve and Edie Haskin. Charlie
moved to New York City to further his career in film. He landed a
job as set director on the production of Frances Ford Coppola's
first "Godfather" movie. Charlie set up and directed
the famous tollbooth ambush of Sonny Corleone, played by actor
James Caan. He also worked as a set director on the Charles
Bronson film, "The Valachi Papers".
Charlie first became involved in the food
and beverage industry in New York, working as a bartender at the
world famous Rainbow Room with master bartender Dale DeGroff. He
moved to California and ran the bar operations for a group of
Howard Johnson restaurants. In 1980 Charlie returned to South
Bend, taking a job as manager at Doolittle's Pub on the city's
south side. In 1985 he joined Yellow Cab Company as a cab driver,
eventually serving as a dispatcher and manager of that firm. In
1990 Charlie joined partners Steve Haskin and Mark McDonnell in
the final planning stages of the now famous LaSalle Grill.
Charlie played an integral part in the opening and ongoing
success of that establishment, from writing the bartender
training manuals and creating cocktail recipes to setting up the
restaurant's computer system. Charlie was a voracious reader and
true believer in lifelong learning. He began a comprehensive
study of wines and winemaking, attaining the rank of
"Certified Sommelier" in 1998 at the Court of the
Master Sommeliers, headquartered in London, England. His
knowledge of cocktails and wine was encyclopedic. He was
respected by many local restaurateurs as one of the leading
authorities in his field.
Friends may call Wednesday, August 21, from
2 to 4 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hahn Funeral Home on 8th
Street in Mishawaka. Services will be held at Hahn Funeral Home
at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 22nd. Burial will follow at Highland
Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it was Charlie's wish that any
memorial contributions be made to a scholarship trust for the
advancement of culinary and wine education in the local area.
Contributions may be sent to either Eastern Pacific Grille and
Bar or LaSalle Grill.