On 10 December 1976, 2Lt. Lawrence K. Ridge, Class of 1975, died as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident near Mesa, AZ. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred J. Ridge, 18 Hamilton Street, Hyde Park, MA 12136.

Lt. Ridge attended the USAFA Prep school prior to being admitted to the Academy. As a cadet, he was a member of the 20th Cadet Squadron and participated in the scuba and History clubs.

Following graduation, Lt. Ridge was assigned to the 78th Student Squadron at Webb AFB. He was assigned to the 311th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at Luke AFB at the time of his death.

December 1976

I remember Larry at Williams AFB, AZ AFTER UPT. Graduated as the last class in FY76 and got their assignments and wings. Seems he and his auto got tangled up on one of the two-lane farm roads outside the base. He never made it to his fighter base but might have been stationed across town in RTU at Luke AFB, AZ.

– Julius Hargrove

Larry Ridge, or better, "Bos", as he was affectionately known. Remember, Bos spoke "the queens language", his excuse for that heavy Boston accent!

My favorite Bos memory is Larry at in-processing at USAFA. The night before, a group of us ex-P Schoolers, got together at one of those dive hotels on Nevada (?) Avenue and had a grand time before entering the Zoo. The next morning I was standing in line at in-processing, we were at the Cadet Infirmary. Bos was in line also. This was where we got the multiple shots. Someone wanted to know if they were taking blood. Bos' comment, "if they take my blood, all they are going to get is Bloody Marys!"

– Ed Zerambo

My older brother was Lawrence (Larry) Ridge. Larry passed away on Dec 10, 1976. From a post on this site, I understand Rich Finke accompanied my brother's body home to my family in Boston and met with my Dad (who has since passed). I've always wondered what Larry would be doing these days had he lived. I thought you might have some insight. I was just hoping for a brief connection to a part of my life that was torn from me when I was in 3rd grade. I attended the graduation in '75. I'll never forget it. I wasn't old enough to run down and grab a cap upon all you guys throwing them in the air, but my Dad captured it with his little Kodak with the silly little cube flash on top.
 (Note: contact info was passed to Rich)

– Steve Ridge, 2015