Caleb Richard Redding

1949 - 2025

Caleb Richard Redding, DDS

April 17, 1949 - September 17, 2025

Caleb Richard Redding, DDS, 76, of McLeansville, N.C. passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025 at Forsyth Medical Center. He was born in Greensboro, N.C. on April 17, 1949 to the late Helen and Charles Redding.

Richard graduated from Northeast High School where he served as Student Council Association President his senior year and created many lifelong friendships. He truly enjoyed planning for and attending his class reunions for the past several years, renewing those friendships and having a great time!

After high school, he attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he met his future wife Genie, and graduated in one of the first classes to admit males. He received a B.A. in Business from UNC-G and then enlisted in the US Navy, serving as a chairside dental assistant at the Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Va. During this time, he enrolled part-time at Old Dominion University, graduating with a B.S. in Biology. His two sons, Matt and Ben, were born in Norfolk and Portsmouth, keeping him busy with US Navy duties, Old Dominion studies and babysitting, while Genie taught kindergarten at a nearby school. It was quite a juggling act for him!

Upon graduating from ODU, he returned to Greensboro and worked for one year for the Guilford County Health Department before being accepted at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. Yes, by this time he was one of the older members of his class!

During dental school, he enlisted in the US Navy Reserves, serving first as a chairside dental assistant and then as a dental officer once he received his degree and commission. He ultimately retired as a Commander, USNR after four years of active duty and 22 years as a reservist. He was a proud 26-year veteran, following in the footsteps of his father and several uncles, also Navy veterans.

Richard always planned on returning to Greensboro to set up his dental practice because it was home and gave him the opportunity to remain close to his family and friends. He was in practice on Friendly Avenue for 32 years before retiring and considered his staff and patients as new friends. He also taught with Health Volunteers Overseas at the dental school in Harare, Zimbabwe. He volunteered as a dentist with Shared Beat in Guatemala City, treating children and their families living around the Guatemala City dump, where his "chairside light" was a flashlight. Richard was a member of the American Dental Association, the NC Dental Society and the Guilford County Dental Society before retirement.

Upon retiring, he began woodturning and made many gorgeous bowls, platters, small bird houses, ink pens and even a bread knife with a charcuterie board. For their 50-year anniversary, he made a two-level fruit bowl that rivals anything that can be bought in a store. He enjoyed gifting these to family and friends, although Genie always had "first right of refusal"! Both before and after retiring, Richard and Genie had the "travelling bug" and were blessed to be able to visit many European countries, Russia, Peru, the Caribbean, Canada, Hawaii and many parts of the USA, their favorites being river cruises and Ireland/England.

Richard is survived by his wife of 53 years, Genie; his sons, Matt (Julie) and Ben (Heather); grandchildren, Gabe and Kaya; and granddogs, Finn, Gizmo and Max. He will be forever loved by his siblings, Joyce Wilkie, Joe (Beverly) Redding, Robert Redding and Darlene Redding. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and in-laws. Richard's life exemplified his abiding love of family and friends and he will be deeply missed.

The Redding family would like to express their deep gratitude to the doctors and nurses and all caregivers as Ashe Memorial Hospital, Forsythe Medical Center and the Cone Health Cancer Center at Wesly Long.

A Celebration of Life followed by a visitation will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 27 at Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel, 515 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, woundedwarriorproject.org, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, t2t.org or to an organization of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.