On April 30, Page Allen Riddleberger, 71, of Severna Park, died suddenly and unexpectedly at the Anne Arundel Medical Center. Page (dubbed “Butch” as a child) was a complex man who tried to give as good as he got but who in his later years revealed through his caring actions his true core of generosity, tenderness, and humor.
Page was an Annapolitan by birth, a Texan by marriage, and a fierce Democrat by hot blood. Growing up in downtown Annapolis, he acquired his life-long passion for crabbing and fishing. In the ways of many small towns where neighborhoods know their sons, Annapolis’ downtown knew him. Page served in the U.S. Army in Germany, where his good looks in a uniform were not quite enough to endear him to the military, and the relationship was ultimately not a win-win.
With help from both spiritual and earthly sources, Page eventually tamed the beasts within. He evolved into a loving husband, father, grandfather, and most recently a great-grandfather. He was known for his skill as a bricklayer, his in-your-face bumper stickers, his staggering music collection of oldies, and his rabid and unwavering love for the Orioles and the Ravens.
Page was a recovering alcoholic who had been sober for more than 26 years. His sobriety and fellowship with other recovering alcoholics were central to his life, and many have said that Page’s wisdom, support, and guidance helped them to get sober and transform their lives.
Page is survived by many who will grievously miss him: his adored and adoring wife, Nancy Baker of Severna Park; his much-loved children, Tina Marie Vasquez, of Durham, NC, Page Riddleberger, Jr., of Ellicott City, and Alex Partridge, of Decatur, IL; two stepsons, Scott Baker of Raleigh, North Carolina and Troy Baker of Arnold; his siblings, Joan Perry and Nancy Riddleberger of Annapolis and Jimmy Riddleberger of Gary, IN; beloved grandchildren Anjelika Vasquez and Nicole Vasquez of Durham, NC, Carly Baker of Raleigh, NC, and Jonah and Noah Baker of Arnold; a brand new great-grandson William Cano-Vasquez; a number of nieces and a nephew; and young people who were helped and “adopted” into the family of Page and Nancy. He was predeceased by his father, Page N. Riddleberger, his mother Miriam Jarrell Riddleberger, and a sister, Norma Ford, all of Annapolis.