Elaine Baum Ryder

Elaine B. Ryder, 84, Kansas City, Mo., died October 1, 2009. Mrs. Ryder was married for 50 years to John J. Ryder, an attorney who practiced law in Kansas City until shortly before his death in November 1999. Mr. and Mrs. Ryder were the parents of three daughters. Mrs. Ryder was born in Kansas City, Mo., on July 20, 1925. Her parents were Ruth Goodman Baum, a native of Memphis, Tenn., and George Koehler Baum, a native of Kansas City. Her father founded George K. Baum & Company, an investment firm, now managed by the third generation of the Baum family. The Baum family originally settled in Kansas City in the 1880s. After graduating from Bryant School and Southwest High School, Mrs. Ryder received a bachelor of arts degree in 1946 from Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass., and in 1948, a master of arts degree in history from Columbia University, New York City. During the Second World War, Mrs. Ryder worked at Pratt & Whitney aircraft plant. She was a management trainee at Macy's when it opened its first store in Kansas City. After her children reached school age, she became a lecturer in the history department of UMKC and some years later, a researcher in local history and architecture for the Kansas City Landmarks Commission. Before and after her career years, Mrs. Ryder was active in civic and community organizations. She was a member of the Board of the UMKC Friends of the Library and its vice president. Mr. and Mrs. Ryder were among the founding members of the New Reform Temple, and Mrs. Ryder served on its Board of Trustees. She was a member of the Kansas City Wellesley Club, having been treasurer, vice president and president, and was always involved in various capacities during the club's annual spring garden tour. As a member of the National Council of Jewish Women, she was on its board and an officer, and for many years, chairman of its scholarship committee. She worked at the Loose Park garden center, helping reorganize its library, and did some historical research in the archives of the Kansas City Parks Department. For more than 50 years, Mrs. Ryder belonged to a semi- monthly study group with friends who progressed from young brides to senior citizens. Mrs. Ryder supported many local civic and community organizations, among them the local ACLU, Planned Parenthood of Missouri/Kansas, Missouri Association for Social Welfare, and the Society of Fellows of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. She was a lifelong liberal Democrat, working in a number of political campaigns in her younger years. She was also a world traveler, having made numerous trips to Europe and Asia. Mrs. Ryder's greatest joy and involvement was her family, her husband, her children and their families, and her brother. She was always very close to her wonderful, loving daughters. She is survived by her three daughters and their families, Joan M. Ryder, husband Robert S. Ludwig, and children Daniel and Michelle, Maple Glen, Pa.; Suzanne R. Beatus and children Andrew and Claire, Chicago, Ill., and Louise R. Ackerman, husband Russell K. Ackerman, and children Emily and Benjamin, Leawood, Kan.; and her brother, G. Kenneth Baum and wife Ann K. Baum, Stilwell, Kan. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, October 4, at the New Reform Temple, Gregory and Main streets, Kansas City, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UMKC Foundation (for the benefit of the Friends of Library), 5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110-2499, or any other charity.