Submitted by: Dan Rich

Charles P. Ryder

Sept. 6, 1948 - Aug. 16, 2002

South Bend Tribune 8/19/2002

Charles P. "Charlie" Ryder, 54, passed away Friday night at Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in South Bend on September 6, 1948 to Harold and Billie Ryder who preceded him in death. Charlie is survived by his former wife, Virginia "Ginny" McVay, and best friends Paul Busch of South Bend and Thorn Shay of Hollywood, Florida. Charlie also leaves behind many other close friends and colleagues in the food and beverage industry in South Bend and the nation.

Charlie was recently employed at Eastern Pacific Grille and Bar as General Manager. Over the past decade he played key roles in the development and opening of LaSalle Grill, where he served many years as Beverage Director and Sommelier. Charlie also was employed with Olinger Beverages, Inc. as Director of Fine Wines and Premium Spirits for the Northern Division of Indiana. Charlie grew up in nearby Lydick, Indiana and attended the New Carlisle school system from kindergarten through high school graduation in 1966. He enrolled in Ball State University, graduating in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in Communications. Charlie was employed as a local radio personality while attending Ball State and was a classmate of David Letterman. After graduation, Charlie employed his major, producing and directing a short film entitled "Jolly Roger" with close friends Steve and Edie Haskin. Charlie moved to New York City to further his career in film. He landed a job as set director on the production of Frances Ford Coppola's first "Godfather" movie. Charlie set up and directed the famous tollbooth ambush of Sonny Corleone, played by actor James Caan. He also worked as a set director on the Charles Bronson film, "The Valachi Papers".

Charlie first became involved in the food and beverage industry in New York, working as a bartender at the world famous Rainbow Room with master bartender Dale DeGroff. He moved to California and ran the bar operations for a group of Howard Johnson restaurants. In 1980 Charlie returned to South Bend, taking a job as manager at Doolittle's Pub on the city's south side. In 1985 he joined Yellow Cab Company as a cab driver, eventually serving as a dispatcher and manager of that firm. In 1990 Charlie joined partners Steve Haskin and Mark McDonnell in the final planning stages of the now famous LaSalle Grill. Charlie played an integral part in the opening and ongoing success of that establishment, from writing the bartender training manuals and creating cocktail recipes to setting up the restaurant's computer system. Charlie was a voracious reader and true believer in lifelong learning. He began a comprehensive study of wines and winemaking, attaining the rank of "Certified Sommelier" in 1998 at the Court of the Master Sommeliers, headquartered in London, England. His knowledge of cocktails and wine was encyclopedic. He was respected by many local restaurateurs as one of the leading authorities in his field.

Friends may call Wednesday, August 21, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hahn Funeral Home on 8th Street in Mishawaka. Services will be held at Hahn Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 22nd. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it was Charlie's wish that any memorial contributions be made to a scholarship trust for the advancement of culinary and wine education in the local area. Contributions may be sent to either Eastern Pacific Grille and Bar or LaSalle Grill.