Randy Riddell Remembered by Memorial Ride by Marina Rojas - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Randy Riddell Remembered by Memorial Ride

By Marina Rojas, Community Writer
February 27, 2014 at 11:28am. Views: 127

In the early morning on Saturday February 22, 2014 the roar of engines alerted the neighborhood that a group of motorcycle riders were arriving in the parking lot of the Pinnacle Peak Steak House in Colton. Each rider was greeted by Colton resident Lillie Riddell with a hug and a big smile as she gave each rider a lime green ribbon and bracelet. “These colors stand for the fight against lymphoma,” she said as she explained the reason behind the small gifts, “After a while, lime green became our favorite color.” Riddell had invited her friends and family to come out to the first annual Ride for Randy, a memorial motorcycle ride in honor of her late husband Randy Riddell. Randy passed away from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma a year ago on February 20, 2013, and it was his love of riding motorcycles that prompted her to remember him in this very unique style. Pinnacle Peak was one of his favorite restaurants, so Riddell felt it was important to begin the memorial ride there. Randy’s long time friend Ed Canela shared his memories by saying, “Randy had always been the ‘go to’ guy in our circle of friends. He was a big guy, recognizable in an instant. He loved to ride and everywhere we went, he would treat people like he’d known them for his whole life. They would always recognize him when he rode in there again. One time, we went all the way to Mexico, and when they saw him coming, they cleared out a spot for us to park even though it was a very busy weekend. They recognized him, and welcomed him because of how he had been with them. He was an awesome guy.” Medical issues had been a part of Randy’s life since he was very young. Having a heart attack at the age of 37, he had to have a quadruple bypass in 1986 and eight months later had to have another one when the graft sites closed up. That left him permanently disabled, so he stayed home from work playing ‘Mr. Mom’, explained his wife Lillie. He had been instrumental in raising his now 20-year-old granddaughter Erica Ramirez, and it was something that he proudly held close to his heart. “And Erica loved her ‘Poppie’ as much as any daughter could love her father,” said Riddell. “He loved camping, playing golf, and being with family and friends, especially from our close knit neighborhood,” said Riddell of her husband. Josiane Roman told stories of camping trips and the table of friends and family she was sitting with all joined in laughing and remembering the details of Randy’s role in making everyone laugh. A few days before his passing, Riddell explained, Randy had told her he was in the mood for a potluck, so they had called the neighborhood, his friends and family together for a potluck to celebrate the time together. “He passed away just a few days later,” said Riddell, “and when I thought about honoring him with a Memorial Ride, I knew it had to end with a neighborhood potluck.” Randy’s motorcycle was sitting out in front, decked out with green and white balloons. A slide show of pictures throughout his life played in the garage as a DJ played some of his favorite music. Friends and family were laughing and sharing stories of how Randy had positively impacted their lives. “It was just wonderful for all of his friends and family to show up the day they did. It was really sad but it was really a joy for me to be able to share his memory with everyone who loved him so much,” Riddell said, "He was such a wonderful husband and a friend to all."

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 237

Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 269

Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.redlands.edu/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 332

The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.

Photo Courtesy of: UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 274

A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.akspl.org/events/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 287

Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 263

The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.csusb.edu/

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 305

CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 481

Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.authentikusa.com/

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 265

As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.

Photo Courtesy of: Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 222

Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.

Photo Courtesy of: https://riversiderecord.org/; A photo of Moreno Valley City Hall. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) Credit: (Photo by Alicia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 594

A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 558

Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.

--> -->