Terry Riordan Sr.

James “Terry” Riordan was born in South Bend, sixth of the nine children of Colonel Robert B. and Dorothy Stoddard Riordan. Though the family moved frequently to follow his father’s military assignments, South Bend was always ‘home’ and is where the Riordans remained after Robert’s death when Terry was only 12. Dorothy proceeded to take a job teaching in the South Bend public schools and raised her children to share her deep faith and trust in God. Terry grew up in a household where faith and family held priority and doing your part was essential. Though he had talent on the basketball court, following the example of his older brothers during his years as student at South Bend Central High school, he took his turn working nights in the Studebaker factory to help support the family. Like many men of his generation, he proudly served in the U.S. Army, and deployed to France in the early 1950s to aid in reconstruction after World War II. Upon his return, he attended college at Western Michigan University. 

Thanks to his friend Del Bragg, he was introduced to Cathy Rupchock, whom he knew right away was ‘the one!’ Terry and Cathy raised their six children in South Bend and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Together they created a home where family was always welcome at the dinner table or on the back deck. Indeed, their house became a stopping point for the extended Riordan clan when they attended Notre Dame football games or passed through on their way ‘up north’ on vacation. Terry and Cathy sacrificed to provide a Catholic education to their children, and they instilled the values passed on by their own parents. As a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Terry modeled service, taking his children with him when visiting elderly, organizing fundraisers to send pilgrims to Lourdes, or reliably showing up to help a friend or a family member in need. He was most proud of his children and often bragged that all six of us “graduated from college, aren’t afraid to work hard, and are good people.” Dad taught us to own our mistakes, be kind, take care of each other, and have faith.

Terry loved family gatherings of all kinds, cherishing time spent with his brothers, sisters, Rupchock in-laws, many nephews and nieces, and his eight grandchildren. He cultivated a special relationship with each one, and found joy in getting to know them deeply as they grew up. Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday, and he was the self-proclaimed world champion Christmas cookie decorator. He enjoyed the peacefulness and protocols of the golf course no matter his score, and the bustle of an ND home football game Saturday. Terry delighted in taking family and friends to have a coffee at Waddick’s, get a burger, watch the Marching Band enter the stadium, and cheer on the Irish.

Terry enjoyed reading, though no book got more repeat reads than his road atlas! Dad was always up for a car trip. He was happy behind the wheel going anywhere, whether taking a daughter ten hours or ten minutes away to college, moving his sons to their fraternity house or to the west coast, attending a grandsons’ graduations or soccer games, traveling to see his son play and coach in state championship football games, visiting his granddaughters in North Carolina, driving through France to revisit the towns where he had been stationed, or picking up a grandson after school. He would often quiz us about what route we planned for our own travels and whether we knew the names of the rivers, towns, or mountains along the way. In the past few years, he was sorry to give up driving but always had a clear opinion of the best route anywhere.

As his health declined, Dad appreciated his loyal friends who picked him up for coffee and carrot cake, or pie, or croissants, as much for the sweetness of the dessert as for the company of those who sat across the table from him. Though he faced many health challenges in the recent years, Terry remained positive, optimistic, and grateful for the compassionate care of his doctors and the medical staff who treated him. He smiled often, laughed freely, and shared his wit and wisdom broadly. Dad’s passing came more quickly than any of us expected. We are grateful that he was able to speak with each of his children in his last hour, and that Mom held his hand when he died. Dad trusted that “when the Good Lord says it’s time, it’s time.”

Terry is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Mike, Tom, Pat, and Dan and his sisters, Joan, Elaine and Judy. He leaves his sister Marcia Leonard of Huntsville, Alabama as the last of Dorothy and Robert’s children. Terry is survived by his wife Cathy, his children Mary (Sanjay Bhambhani) of Arlington, Virginia; Terry (Laurie) of Tecumseh, Michigan; Rosie (Paul) McDowell of South Bend; Bridget (Bob Douglas) of Durham, North Carolina; Pete (Nicole) of South Bend; and Andy (Aly) of South Bend. Grandpa will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Maggie and Paul McDowell, John and Zach Riordan, Caroline and Catherine Douglas, and Nathalie and Claire Riordan.

Services will be held:
 

Friday February 9th

3:00 to 6:00 pm Visitation

6:00 pm Rosary will be prayed

Palmer Funeral Home, Hickey Chapel 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN 46635.

Saturday, February 10th: 

10:00-10:45 am Visitation
11:00 am Mass of the Resurrection
Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1050 Wilber Street, South Bend, IN 46628

Private interment of cremains with Military Honors will take place at a future date at Highland Cemetery in South Bend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Joseph County Public Library or to the Education Fund at Holy Cross Catholic School.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.