André François Hélène de Ridder

André François Hélène de Ridder passed away on August 5, 2024, at the age of 87 in Columbia, SC. Born in Dendermonde, Belgium, the son of Gustaaf Kasimir de Ridder and Lowies Gomares Meert-de Ridder. André pursued higher education at Aalst Polytechnic and the University of Heidelberg before dedicating years of service to the Belgian military, engineering, and equestrian instruction.

André was a man of diverse interests, including horseback riding, storytelling, and cooking, which brought joy not only to him but also to those around him. He attended services at St. Mary the Virgin Mother of Hartsville, SC. 

He is survived by a loving family, including his sister, Frida de Ridder; his former wives, Annie Keuten and Linda de Ridder; his children, Dominique Peters-de Ridder (Pierre), Pascal de Hoon, Filip de Hoon (Lucie), Nathalie Vandenbossche-de Hoon (Peter), Patrick de Hoon (Kelly), Stefanie de Hoon-Laveyne (Franky), Angela Winer (Ernie), Gustaaf de Ridder, Christina Scheer (Isaac), and António de Ridder; along with twenty grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. André was preceded in death by his sister, Diane Van Damme-de Ridder, brother, Georges de Ridder and former wife, Marie-Thérèse Le Brun. 

A drop-in celebration of André’s life will be held on November 2, 2024 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at The Edition at the Hartsville Museum, 221 N Fifth Street, Hartsville, SC 29550. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Darlington County Humane Society. Links to donate can be found below and at Society of St. Vincent de Paul - https://ssvpusa.org/ and Darlington County Humane Society - https://darlingtonhumane.org/

The South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Please share memories and messages on the online guest book by clicking on the “Leave A Tribute” tab above.