Victor Frank Ridder (April 4, 1886 – June 14, 1963) was a newspaper publisher and civic leader in New York City for many decades in the early 20th century.

Career

Victor and his brothers Bernard H. Ridder and Joseph E. Ridder were the owners and publishers of the New Yorker Staats-Zeitung, the premier daily newspaper of German-speaking residents of the New York City area, which they had inherited from their father Herman Ridder. His company, founded by his father, Ridder Publications, Inc., later merged with Knight Newspapers, Inc. in 1974, and operated under the name Knight Ridder until 2006, when the company was purchased by The McClatchy Company.

Philanthropy and volunteering

Victor Ridder was active in the Boy Scouts of America as a volunteer leader in New York City for many years. In 1912, he helped organize New York's first Catholic parish troop, and within a couple of years became a National BSA volunteer with responsibility for promoting Catholic Scouting. He was a co-founder in 1922 of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, and was later recognized by the National Council BSA for his distinguished service to youth with the Silver Buffalo Award. He served as president of the New York State Board of Social Welfare from 1929 to 1939, and as New York City administrator of the Works Progress Administration from October 1935 until his resignation in July 1936 (effective August 1.).

Personal life

Ridder was twice married. His first wife was Marie Thompson (1885-1935). Before her death in 1935, they were the parents of: After the death of his first wife, he married Ruth O'Day (1886-1969). Ridder died on June 14, 1963.