Reverend Geoffrey Rider

In 1970, CLS announced a new history teacher, – an ordained priest, the Revd Geoffrey Rider.  I was in the 6th form, but Geoffrey did not teach me. However, he did preside at some early morning CLS Communion services, when I was present. I never thought then that, decades later, Geoffrey’s life and mine would overlap again.

Geoffrey’s time at CLS was happy for him. When he retired in 1990, Lionel Knight wrote a warm Valete tribute to him. It recalled how he taught history and then politics (American politics being his speciality). He also became Head of Careers, “an ideal appointment given his combination of wide outlook, administrative skills and interest in people.”.

His contribution to the school’s life included singing in the choir, “toiling with the Boat Club” (- he had rowed at Cambridge) and cricket. He had been chair of the Staff Common Room, where “his integrity and patience in the resolution of disputes became as legendary as Joan’s hospitality”.

Geoffrey’s life before CLS had included national service with the Intelligence Corps and parish ministry amongst the miners of Cleckheaton. Whilst at CLS, Geoffrey was very active in the local church at Wimbledon. However, retirement was not going to be spent at Lord’s, watching cricket, as Lionel had foretold. Instead, Geoffrey and Joan went to South Africa, to serve as Succentor at Kimberley Cathedral in 1992-95. This was as Apartheid was ending and Nelson Mandela was elected President. Geoffrey was keen to play even a small part in the change towards a free and fair post-Apartheid world.

Later, he and Joan moved to Ripon, North Yorkshire, where, briefly, I, now myself an Anglican priest, met them just before I moved South in 2002 to become the Archdeacon of Tonbridge. Geoffrey kindly took some services in my recent village churches after my departure.

In 2017, I retired and, with Jane, my wife, moved back to near Ripon. Lo and behold, I met Geoffrey again, sadly now widowed. He was a very regular and faithful worshipper at Ripon Cathedral. For over 8 years here I enjoyed Geoffrey’s friendship and fellowship. It was very moving to me, who had once been in his Communion congregation at CLS, to find him in the congregation at services which I took here. It was always a pleasure to be with him.

Geoffrey died on 19th December 2025, aged 96. He had been active till a few days before. A large congregation gathered for his funeral at Ripon Cathedral where we and his family gave thanks for his long life and varied ministry, his love of family, his friendship, care, humilty, wisdom, learning, enthusiasm, humour, Christian spirituality and faithful example. We were privileged to know him. I wore my John Carpenter Club tie at the service, hopefully representing the many Old Citizens who had enjoyed something of Geoffrey’s 20 years at CLS.

With thanks for this obituary contributed by Venerable Clive Mansell (Class of 1971)

Geoffrey’s valete upon leaving CLS, written by Lionel Knight, can be found here

geoffrey at CLS