Bidner, Rick
June 19, 1937 ~ March 04, 2025
BIDNER, John “Rick” – Age 87, of Petrolia (b. Brigden), passed away peacefully on Monday, March 3, 2025, at C.E.E. Bluewater Health in Petrolia. Beloved husband of Gisele Bidner for 64 years. Loving father of Wendy Petersen and Todd (Michelle) Bidner. Cherished grandfather to Adam, Rachel, Dylan, and Colton. Dear brother to Jim (Lynn) Bidner and uncle to many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, Charlie and Rosie Bidner, and siblings Garry (Jane) Bidner, Gayle Staley, and Linda (Bert) Shannon. Rick enjoyed a long and fulfilling career at Dow, where he worked for 38 years. He was passionate about sports, holding the triple jump record at Petrolia High School for 30 years. In 1958, he was recognized as one of the fastest halfbacks in Canadian football. Rick loved staying active—whether it was riding his bike around town, playing two-pitch until the age of 70, or supporting his family’s sporting events. Rick’s family fondly remembers his humor, wit, and his ability to always brighten a room with his sarcasm and laughter. He was deeply proud of his children and grandchildren, to whom he was always supportive and encouraging. He was greatly admired for his positive attitude and friendliness. He never missed an opportunity to stop and chat with everyone he knew (and lots of people he didn’t) while out and about. Every time he met someone, he could sleuth out someone they knew in common, no matter how far from home he was. His family will forever treasure their time together, from trips to Florida and England, to camping, canoeing, and white-water rafting. Rick’s love for food won’t soon be forgotten in Bidner family kitchens – especially dessert! He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
“Rick is considered one of the fastest halfbacks in Canaidian Football, 1958”
Funeral Details
A private family service will be held at STEADMAN BROTHERS FUNERAL CHAPELS, Brigden. A celebration of Rick’s life will be announced at a later date.
Donations
In lieu of flowers, sympathy may be expressed through donations to C.E.E. Hospital Foundation Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital Foundation or I.O.D.E. Margaret Stokes Chapter.
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Condolences (48)
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Jim and Lynn and Family. Our deepest condolences to you and family in the loss of Rick. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Mike abd Sue West
our condolences to the family and friends of Rick. He will be missed.
Barry and Janet Young
So sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. My sincere condolences to the Bidner family.
We are so sorry to hear about Rick’s death! Gisele- our hearts go out to you and your family at this sad time. Bob worked at Dow with Rick and I worked with you at CEE. Many happy times spent together.
Our deepest condolences.
Bob and Lynne Allen
Todd and Michelle and Dylan and Colton
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
He was such a great guy, always had a fun story to share. My condolences to the Bidner Family.
Dear Gisele, Todd and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. Rick was one of the good guys! Cherish your wonderful memories.
Giselle and family
Thinking of you during this difficult time
We were deeply saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. He was a wonderful neighbour, and wil be missed. Our sincere condolences to Gisele and family.
My condolences to the entire Bidner family, to have lost a unique person such as Rick is truly a heartbreaking thing to go through. I worked with Rick at Dow and ran into him numerous times per year in Petrolia uptown and it was always a pleasure talking to him. It is a great loss and i will be thinking of all of you at this time.
Gisele, Wendy, Todd & Michelle and Jim & Lynn and families. We were so sorry to hear about Rick. Sending our deepest sympathy to you all. Cherish all the wonderful memories.
so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing always enjoyed when he dropped in for a visit and chance encounters for a good conversation. He will be missed
My sincere condolences to you and your family Gisele. I still remember all the laughs we had with you guys!
Deepest sympathy Gisele and family. Rick will ba sadly missed he was a great guy.
Our condolences to you Gisele and family. We are so sorry for your loss of Rick. Please know you are in our thoughts. Sending much love Kraig and Lisa Nienhuis
Dear Gisele and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. Please accept my sincere condolences. Cherish your wonderful memories.
Sorry to hear of Ricks passing , please accept our sincere sympathy, always had a hello when seen him
Gisselle, Todd, Wendy and Families. We are very sad to hear the news of Rick’s passing. He will be missed by all who knew him. He always had a smile, a funny story, or could tell you a piece of Petrolia History.
Please except our condolences, and our sympathy.
Janet and Dave Hext
To Todd and The Bidner family. Very saddened to hear the news of Rick’s passing. He was such a great guy with the best sense of humour. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. Rest in Peace Rick.
Our condolences.
Rest In Peace Rick.
I worked with Rick in the 80’s and 90’s with vivid memories of some great times! We would run into each other whether in Wyoming, Petrolia or Sarnia and reminisce about those unforgettable moments!
My condolences to Giselle and the Bidner Family!
My condolences to Gisele & family 😢. Were our neighbours on Oozloffsky years ago. Always enjoyed visiting with them ❤️. Great family.
Dear Gisele, Wendy, Todd & Family, It is with deep sadness, we send you our love and condolences in the loss of Rick.
We will keep you in our hearts and Prayers,
Bev & Jim Maitland
Lori & Leza Armstrong
I am sorry for your loss Wendy and family.
Giselle and family
Thinking of you during this difficult time
Deepest condolences Gisele Todd Wendy and family I’m going really miss Rick coming out to visit and our chats he was such a great guy RIP Rick till we meet again
Sincere Sympathy to the Bidner Family in the passing of Rick. Rick always had time to say hello to all and was so much a part of Petrolia.
Deepest condolences to Guselle,Todd Wendy and friends, Rick was a great man ,he will always be remembered. RIP Rick.🙏
Todd Jamieson. 🙏
Jim, Lynn, and family,
So sorry to read about the passing of your brother/brother-in-law/uncle, Rick. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. May pleasant memories bring you peace.
Michael and Cathy
Giselle and Family
Sorry for your loss. Rick was one of the good guys. We had lots of laughs on the commuter bus going to work in the day. He will be missed
Giselle, Todd, Wendy and families
Sending our deepest condolences on the passing of Rick. Rick’s sense of humour and ability to tell a good story will be missed. Wishing you comfort during this difficult time.
Larry and Beth Core
Dear Gisele, Todd, Michelle, Wendy and entire Bidner family
Please accept my heartfelt condolences at this very difficult time. Rick was always such a lovely man, stopping and chatting whenever our paths crossed, trading updates on his beloved family and asking about mine, always with a smile on his face and his wry sense of humour on full display. He will be missed! Hugs to you all.
Karynka Hunter and family
We were saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. We will remember Rick for his excellent communication skills. He always had a smile and was very engaging. He had a great ability to connect the dots with people, sports and the community. Rick will be greatly missed. Memories of Rick will be etched into the hearts of many. We send our deepest sympathies to the family.
Rick was awesome he shared his birthday with my dad George Menzies being a good friend will miss his chats fly high you have had a wonderful life 🙏💙🙏💙
Todd and Bidner family,
Brian and I were saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. He was a great sportsman and Petrolia booster, and when we would meet anywhere, he would always remind me of his connections and happy childhood memories of Brigden. He certainly will be missed by his family and around the arena and sports fields in Petrolia!
Giselle, Wendy, Todd and Family, So very sorry to hear this shocking news of the passing of Rick. Our heartfelt condolences to all of you during this very difficult time of sorrow. He was a true gentleman friend indeed, a true competitive athlete and we thoroughly enjoyed times spent as neighbors on Tom Street. We had so many fun conversations and laughs over the past years. It just seems like yesterday he retired from Dow. R.I.P. Rick. Sincerely, Ron and Linda Scales
Hugs to the Bidner family. Rick was a Petrolia Ambassador, always wore a smile and was a willing participant in any conversation. He loved to be around people and was very proud of his family.
Always a good visitor at coffee house. Just plain common sense conversations. Great Petrolia supporter. Bev Byers
Dear Wendy
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. My prayers for your comfort.
Kathy McCallum
Thinking of all the Families of Rick . Rick always would stop and say hi and. was always so friendly and had a nice smile whenever seeing him . Rick was involved in lots and will be missed by so many ! Hugs to all of you ! Love Always Maureen Bailey xoxo
Deepest sympathies to your family. Always with a friendly smile and time to chat. Will be missed by greatly, a true gentleman with a genuine interest of community and sports.
Sincerely
Don & Penny Phillips
Gisele and family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. May you all find peace, love and light in the memories of a life well lived. ❤️
My deepest sympathy to the family . I went to Hugh School with Rick and enjoyed our conversations on the street!
Owen Byers
Very sorry to hear the news, he was a great guy. Thinking of his family and friends.
Gisele, Wendy,Todd & Families
Please accept my deepest condolences to you all over the loss of Rick. I offer you my heartfelt support and friendship in this most difficult time.
Rick touched so many lives in the very best way I’m grateful I got a chance to know him. He will be missed.
Sorry to read of Ricks passing. Condolences to you and your family. Rick was an awesome man and I always enjoyed his hugs whenever I would see him. He will be missed. Janice Randall
Todd and family…..sorry to hear of your father’s passing…we played ball together in the Petrolia 2-Pitch League on the Monteith-Sutherland Group softball team in the early 80’s on Tuesday nights for 4 yrs so it’s been over 40 yrs since I have seen your Dad….my condolences to your entire family…..
Bernie Baillargeon,Windsor,Ont
Dear Todd, Michelle, Dylan and Colton,
So sorry for your family’s loss. Our heartfelt sympathies to you all.