Academic and Career Accomplishments
Hugh Riddle graduated from the Ravenna School System in 1934 and from Case Institute of Technology (Case Western) in 1938 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Only one day after his lifelong friend, Earl Stevens, was killed, Hugh joined the Navy and was commissioned at the U.S. Naval Academy where he taught for a year. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Duluth and as an instructor at Treasure Island. Upon his discharge in 1946, he, along with his brother-in-law, started the Ward-Riddle Company which sold small aircraft parts as well as other small machines internationally. In 1948, he co-founded Allen Aircraft, a leading manufacturer of critical aircraft valves, sold worldwide; and served as vice president and director for twenty-two years. As well as being an outstanding business man, Mr. Riddle has been extremely active in service to his community. He has worked in every charity in the United Way, both before and after its formation. He has served actively at the Congregational Church, as past Moderator, trustee, Deacon,, and Scout committee man. Mr. Riddle is a past trustee of the Robinson Memorial Hospital Board serving as its Chairman for twelve of his thirty-six years of tenure. He also served two terms as trustee of the Summit-Portage Community Health Agency and has been a director of Bank One and a member of the Ravenna Chamber of Commerce. In 1987, Mr. Riddle received the Chamber’s Individual Raven Award for Outstanding Community Service. Hugh Riddle is a man of many academic/career accomplishments who remains very modest!