Death date: Mar 17, 2022
Thomas D. Rider, longtime Gainesville resident and former co-owner of Goerings Book Store, passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2022. Tom was a profoundly curious, constant learner, and an avid reader with an excellent sense of humo Read Obituary
Tom's Mom, Ferne, was my kindergarten teacher in Garwin. I remember his Dad, Harold "Bane" from the grocery store. Several years ago I sent Tom an advertisement from his Dad's grocery store. He wrote the nicest letter back to me. He played the clarinet in the Garwin HS band, also graduated with my husband's sister in 1956.
Our sympathy in your loss.
Bob and Dinny (Staker) Nielsen
That original Goerings’ Book Store & its Westgate version were essential parts of the social, cultural, academic, & intellectual development of so many folks so blessed, and Tom Rider made those developments more profound & polite. Thank You Rider Family and My Condolences To You All.
Tom Rider led me to countless excellent publications; some I'm looking at on my bookshelf now. He greatly encouraged my 35yr & continuing career as an 8th Grade Social Sciences Educatour. Thank You Mr. Rider.
I'll never forget stumbling into the Univ.&13th corner original Goerings’ Bookstore with writer Harry Crews & street poet Peter Andrew O'Brian. Those two had perhaps spent a wee bit too much time in The Salty Dog that afternoon. Despite their loud & gravity-challenged behaviours Tom Rider led them to good periodicals and with Vulcan Professionalism kept that space civilised. I was so impressed. Being the only one with cash in his pocket that lesson in civility & kindness cost me over $40 in 1980s Ltd student funds buying Crews' & O'Brien's choices but it was worth every penny seeing Tom Rider handle them so well.
The bookstores in Valhalla are better off for our loss. What a blessing Tom Rider has been.
Bernadette Adams Cailler. My heart goes out to Jane and the whole family. Tom was a dear friend of ours. My late husband, violinist Elwyn Adams, used to visit Goering's every week, buying books and talking with Tom. He and I also spoke together quite often over the years. I had great admiration for his mind, knowledge, wit, and for his warm, humane disposition. I think he lived a very full life, which is a blessing.
I was so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Goering's books was one of the first places I associated with Gainesville and UF, as Pat Craddock showed me the University Ave location with great pride when I first interviewed here in 1997. It became an intellectual home and hosted many important events for scholars and teachers, especially those of us in the humanities. Tom was always such a wonderful host who appreciated academic work and tirelessly supported it. He was a thoroughly nice person and generous to a fault. The light of the world is a little dimmer without him.
Friend of my youth in Minneapolis. We shared weddings, births, sad times and happy times. An unforgettable part of my life.
I and many others at African Studies at UF as well as in the Retired Faculty of UF are very saddened to hear about Tom's passing. I really enjoyed getting to know Tom through his incredibly regular attendance at our weekly African Studies talks as well as other events. He was always interested and engaged whatever the topic or speaker, and it was a pleasure speaking with him afterwards. I and others also looked forward to seeing him and Jane – in person and then virtually – at RFUF talks and events. Tom was a wonderful, always curious and always observant presence, and we will truly miss him.
Abe Goldman
I am saddened by this news of Tom’s passing, and my heart goes out to his family and other loved ones. It would be hard to recall my first years at UF without the steady presence of Tom Rider on our campus and in our community. I remember taking friends from the med school to the original Goerings’ to hear Michael Hofmann read. I remember finding our Department colleagues’ books there, and feeling heartened to see my tenure book appear on their shelves shortly after it was published. I remember sitting near Tom at so many campus readings and lectures. The store itself was such a community space. When I’d place my textbook order, the staff and I would talk about the literature I was teaching. When the Wesley Foundation sold its corner property on 13th & University, the new Westgate store used its larger space for an annual holiday shopping day with music and free gift-wrapping. I’d pick up CDs by local musicians along with books for myself, family, and friends. My son loved to sit in the child-sized chairs in the children’s book nook, and he loved picking out a book to take home.
I also remember the tilt of Tom’s head and engaged eyes as he listened to readings, lectures, and musical performances. I remember seeing his genuine pleasure at seeing a customer, a friend. I remember his laugh.
Marsha Bryant
I was so sorry to hear this sad news. Tom participated in so many programs when I was director of Women's Studies at UF and he was always friendly, curious, and engaged. We appreciated the support and benefited from his questions and comments. My deepest condolences to Jane and the family. Judy Page
Dick and I are very sad to learn of Tom's death. When Dick and I first met, Dick was sharing a house in Bethesda with Alan Rider, Tom's brother. At the time, we had no idea that we would one day live in Gainesville and get to know Tom. About 10 years later, when Dick came to Gainesville for a job interview, Pat and Bill Pfaff, his hosts, took him to Goering's, not knowing anything about Alan Rider. As soon as Dick heard Tom's voice, he asked him if he were Alan's brother.
We loved Goering's, and we enjoyed Tom's book reviews. We still miss Goering's, and we will very much miss seeing Tom at various events around town, especially musical performances. He was kind, generous, unpretentious, well-informed, and always interesting to talk to. He did not look well the last time we saw him. We hope he did not suffer in his last months.
Becky and Dick Howard
