John Riddle

1946 - 2025

John Riddle
04/21/1946 - 03/18/2025
John H. Riddle, 78, died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Berkeley, California, on March 18, 2025 surrounded by his immediate family. He died as he had lived – uncomplaining and with courage and quiet dignity. John was born in Emporia, Kansas to Humbert and Mary Riddle and grew up in Salina, Kansas, graduating from Sacred Heart High School in 1964. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating With Distinction in 1968. He attended the University of Michigan Law School, graduating in 1971. There he met his future wife and law partner Dorothy Berndt (Dottie). In 1971 John was posted to Navy JAG at Treasure Island. He and Dottie were married in the meadow of the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley June 1, 1974. Since then, they have lived in Berkeley, CA where they raised two beloved daughters, Kaitlyn and Molly.
John served in Navy JAG through June 1976 at Treasure Island, Camp Pendleton and aboard the USS Hancock. He joined the San Francisco law firm Lillick, McHose and Charles (later Nixon Peabody) practicing admiralty law, commercial litigation, and professional liability and fiduciary defense for 36 years; he served as the Firm's Managing Partner and General Counsel. In 2012 John and Dottie formed Riddle Berndt Law LLP where John continued his practice until his final illness. His intelligence, work ethic, calm and respectful demeanor, and commitment to justice earned him the respect and admiration of those he served and those he opposed alike.
He lived his life to the fullest, with a twinkle in his eye, a song in his heart and an unforgettable smile on his face. He loved music - playing rock and roll piano was his secret passion. He and Dottie danced, roller skated and shared greet times with dear friends through the halcyon days of San Francisco in the 1970s and '80s. They trekked the Annapurna circuit in Nepal, filmed the wildlife of Kenya, hiked the Alps, cycled through the vineyards of France and Italy, and camped on the beaches of Crete. Although John had never seen the ocean before Annapolis, thereafter he was hooked for life – sailing, and windsurfing on the challenging waters of San Francisco Bay, surfing, and scuba diving with his family in Hawaii and the Caribbean, and swimming 3 miles a week until just before his death. John's determination to live with gusto was fierce, as was his loyalty to his friends and devotion to loved ones. His favorite moments were spent with at home with his family, sharing dinner in the front yard admiring sunsets over the Bay, cheering for the Warriors, playing board games, but most of all, reading to his beloved grandson, Sydney, Molly's three year old son. John epitomized decency, honor, and integrity from his service to his country as a Naval officer to his service to those in need as an attorney.
John is survived by his wife Dorothy Berndt, his daughters who both reside in Berkeley, Kaitlyn Riddle and Molly Riddle, his son-in-law Tim Cupery and grandson, Sydney Cupery; his sister and brother-in-law Mary Jane and Alan Freeland of Oakland, and their sons Benjamin Freeland (San Francisco), Dan Freeland (Alameda) and Matthew Freeland (Santa Clara). In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.