Ridgely C. Bennett, Jr., MD, MPH

RIDGELY C. BENNETT JR. MD, MPH

Age 93,on Saturday, January 7, 2023, Ridgely C. Bennett, Jr., MD, MPH passed away in Washington, DC. His loving wife of 53 years, Anne Jarvis Bennett, predeceased him. He is survived by his devoted children, Ridgely "Crick" Bennett (Norma) and Joan Bennett Thompson (Ralph); his beloved granddaughters Isabella Bennett, Julia Thompson, and Kara Thompson; his brothers Aaron Bennett (Anne) Joseph Bennett (Anita); his brother Donald Bennett predeceased him; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ridgely was born to Ridgely, Sr., and Eva Juanita in St. Louis, MO on September 6, 1929. Ridgely graduated from Vashon High School in 1946 where he was an excellent student, ran track, and was a Boy Scout earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Ridgely earned a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Louis University in 1950. He moved to Washington, DC to attend Howard University College of Medicine, where he met his wife, Anne Jarvis. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Howard University College of Medicine in 1955. He completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Howard University where he was Chief Resident. Ridgely was board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

From 1960 to 1963, Ridgely was a Captain in the United States Airforce. He served as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the 47th USAF Hospital in Sculthorpe, England and Medical Director and Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the 81st USAF Hospital.

In 1963, Ridgely began a career in the Federal Government as a Medical Officer with the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) as well as operating a private medical practice in Washington DC. He retired from the FDA in 2002.

Ridgely earned his Master of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 1984 and was inducted into Delta Omega public health honor society. His contributions to the field of public health resulted in him being awarded the Outstanding Alumnus in Public Health Award from the Society of Alumni of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 1988. In 1995, he was elected president of the Society of Alumni and served from 1996 to 1999 in this capacity.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday February 16, 2023, 11:00 am at the Washington National Cathedral. Private Interment Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Loaves and Fishes meal program, c/o St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St. NW, Washington, DC 20010, http://loavesandfishesdc.org/.

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