Robert Blanchard Rideout

The Reverend Robert B. Rideout, a long-time federal civil servant and later pediatric chaplain, died on November 21, 2024 in Columbus OH. Born in Ithaca NY on May 14, 1941, he was the son of Professor Blanchard L. Rideout and Anne Louise Rideout. 

 He received a BA in economics from Wesleyan University, where he was program director and general manager of the college radio station promoting classical music. Following graduation in 1963, he began his federal career at the Central Intelligence Agency. He also served as an intelligence officer in the Air Force Strategic Air Command at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. Before returning to Washington, he received a master’s degree in international affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Affairs at Princeton University. During the summer of 1968, he was one of the original “(Ralph) Nader’s Raiders,” undertaking with one other “raider” the initial study of the Food and Drug Administration. 

 He joined the federal Bureau of the Budget in 1969 as a budget examiner, part of the career staff to the President. He served there and at the successor Office of Management and Budget for over 28 years, a career that spanned six presidencies and fourteen budget directors. He examined budgets for the Air Forces’ Strategic Air Command, the National Security Council, Higher Education, and Unemployment Insurance. From 1990 until he retired, he served as OMB branch chief for federal civilian personnel programs and Executive Office of the President agencies. 

 Rob served as a high school youth leader at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke VA. He helped plan meaningful programs and retreats and became a mentor to many. He became a lay chaplaincy visitor in pediatrics at INOVAFairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia. After moving to Columbus in 2005, he completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and served as an on-site nighttime on-call chaplain from 2007 through 2019. For ten years he served as a volunteer counselor at Camp Fantastic (Special Love, Inc.), a summer program for children with cancer in Front Royal VA. Of all his work, he told friends later in life, the most important and meaningful was serving as a hospital chaplain to children and their families. Some did not survive, bringing home the importance of children in our lives. 

Ordained in the Episcopal Church in 2009, Rob served as Deacon, first at St. Mark’s in Upper Arlington, then at St. Patrick’s in Dublin OH for ten years. At St. Patrick’s he recruited parishioners to support the feeding program at the Friends of the Homeless shelter, tutor students at Daniel Wright Elementary School, gather winter clothing and support a summer food program for the students there. His words of dismissal at the end of each service were: “Remember to feed the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, and to visit the sick and lonely. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” His work in the church was recognized by his induction to The Society of St. Simeon & St. Anna in September 2024. 

 He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marti Rideout of Columbus, a brother, Richard (Nan) of Raleigh NC, a daughter, Lissa Rideout Wade (Andrew) of Columbus, a son, Col. Brian Rideout (Emily), USMC (retired) of San Clemente CA, a nephew William Rideout (Catherine) of Raleigh NC, six grandchildren Cameron, Adam, and Henry Wade, Elyse, Sophia, and Samuel Rideout, grandnieces Dimney, Mary Susan, and Chandler Rideout, and cousins from Maine to Florida and Massachusetts to Washington. 

 A Celebration of Life service in memory of Robert Rideout will be held at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 444 E. Broad Street, Columbus OH 43215, on Saturday. December 21 at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall below the Sanctuary. 

 In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in the name of Robert Rideout to: 

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective 

PO Box 182883, Columbus OH 43128

First Congregational Church, UCC 

For the restoration and maintenance of the von Beckerath pipe organ in the Gallery.

444 E. Broad Street, Columbus OH 43215

Memo: Robert Rideout Memorial

Special Love, Inc. 

For children with cancer and their families

158 Front Royal Pike, Suite 301, Winchester VA 22602