Post Mills, VT – Ridgway Satterthwaite, 89, of Post Mills, VT died May 17, 2026, at the Jack Byrne Center, Hanover, NH. Born Sept. 24,1936 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Willis and Margaret Satterthwaite, he was a 1954 graduate of Germantown Friends School and held a Bachelor’s Degree (1958) in History and Romance Languages from Trinity College (Hartford, CT), spending his junior year in Edinburgh, Scotland. At the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he earned a Master’s Degree in Ibero-American Studies, receiving fellowships from the Ford Foreign Area Study, Peru (1965), Land Tenure Center (1963-66), and the American Friends Service Committee for International Studies (1963-64), and was awarded a Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship for field study in El Salvador leading to a PhD in Geography (1971). He is preceded in death by his first wife of 27 years, Ellen Satterthwaite, and son-in-law, George Oberst. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sally Gage; his children, Roger Satterthwaite (Corinna Wong) and children Eliza and Tomey, San Marino, CA; Andy Satterthwaite (Jane Pinder), Fort Collins, CO; Wendy Satterthwaite, Berea, KY and children, Taylor Satterthwaite (Scott Slucher), Cincinnati, OH and Lincoln Satterthwaite, Santa Barbara, CA; step-children Aaron Loomis ( Lisa Boege) and daughter, Willa, Burlington; Jason Loomis (Mica Tucker) and children, Hannah, Eli, and Warren, South Strafford; Molly Loomis (Tom Hughes) and daughters Una, Mira, and Mae, Burlington; sisters Ann Satterthwaite, Philadelphia, PA, and Ellen Seibert (Peter), Seattle, WA; nieces and nephew.
Ridge had a varied and interesting career incorporating his love of cultural connections, outdoor education, and community-building. He worked for AFSC in Latin America, before teaching Spanish at Westtown School (West Chester, PA). He became a professor of geography (1969) at Macalester College (St. Paul, MN) then director of their International Center. In 1975 he assumed the directorship of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest Costa Rica program. In 1977 he was hired by Farm and Wilderness Camps (Plymouth, VT) as facilities manager, then executive director until 1984. He oversaw the expansion of the camps to include The Barn Day Camp and spearheaded a fundraising campaign to replace the aging dam on Woodward Reservoir. In 1984 he returned to international work with the Latin American arm of The Experiment for International Living (Brattleboro, VT) then Peace Corps as a training director in Eswatini and Cabo Verde, Africa. In 1996 Ridge started his own business, Daily Money Management, as a professional organizer. He built strong, lasting connections with fellow elders which continued until the day he died. He worked on and off for H & R Block, taught several courses of Spanish at Dartmouth College, and supported migrant workers with English classes and friendship.
Beyond this full and eclectic professional career, Ridge lived a life rich in music and outdoor adventure. As a teenager he fell in love with classical music while singing in his high school choir. As a young man he often led singing with his guitar, connecting across cultures with folk tunes. He added his rich bass voice to Freelance Family Singers (Woodstock) (mid 80s), and Thetford Chamber Singers (mid 90s). He participated in Shaker Revels and was a fixture in Christmas Revels (Hanover) from 1986 to 2015, where he met Sally, the love of his life, and where they built a lasting community.
As a teenager, several transformative summers at Flying Moose Lodge, ME shaped his life-long love of the outdoors. He loved to hike, boat, swim, cross country ski, and snowshoe. He worked for a decade at Lochearn Camp (Lake Fairlee), training counselors to lead hikes and leading many a hesitant young camper himself to the top of a mountain.
Ridge cared deeply about our environment, advocating for careful consideration about decisions that affect the land and water. He devoted decades to the Lake Fairlee Association in Thetford, dedicating countless hours as treasurer. He was a founding member of the Ompompanoosuc Community Trust and member of the Thetford Democrats. He had a strong belief that those with power should care for those in need.
Ridge was ever inquisitive about the world, believing the best education was through travel. He was, at heart, a teacher. Whether in front of a classroom or on a mountain trail, Ridge encouraged curiosity and willingly shared his vast knowledge of the world. Above all, Ridge treasured his family. He delighted in gathering with children and grandchildren from both families, cherished his sisters, nieces, and nephew, and found joy in quiet evenings with Sally on their deck watching wildlife or hot air balloons. Though a traveler and a transplant, Vermont became the home he loved. He leaves the world a better place and is deeply missed.
A memorial service is planned for Sept. 26 at 2:00, Lake House Inn, 881 VT-244, Fairlee, VT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jack Byrne Center or the Lake Fairlee Association.
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