Dr. David Vernon Riddle, 78, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

David is survived by the love of his life and wife of twenty years, Elaine Sylvain-Riddle of Traverse City; his daughter, Dr. Julia (Tony Valerio) Riddle of Traverse City; his son, Dr. Andrew (Tracy) Riddle of Traverse City; and his stepson, Jason (Kate) Sylvain of New York City. He was a proud grandfather to ten grandchildren: Asher Larrance, Roxy Riddle, Max Valerio, Maya Riddle, Stella Larrance, Kaitlin Riddle, Alex Riddle, Cameron Riddle, Francis Sylvain, and Gio Valerio.

He is also survived by his sister, Carol (Rick) Riddle-Wallus; nieces Evin (Ben Vroegop) Riddle Wallus and Shea Riddle Wallus; great-niece Lettie Vroegop; his son-in-law Deven Larrance; his first wife Christina Riddle and many beloved brothers and sisters in-law. He also had a special place in his heart for lifelong friends:  Robert and Carol Kennedy, Robert and Janet Neville, John and Nancy Syts, and all of their children whom he considered "nieces" and "nephews," bound not by blood but by love. His absence will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved him.

David was the son of Vern and Doris Riddle of Kalamazoo, Michigan, who preceded him in death.

To David, nothing was more important than his family.

A devoted and loving father to Julia and Andy, David enthusiastically embraced their interests as they were growing up, whether it was mastering the latest video game like Diablo or joining in on a new fitness craze such as Tae Bo. He was a constant presence in their lives: a cheerleader at their sporting events, steady source of encouragement as they grew into adulthood, a guiding light as they pursued their careers in medicine, and a proud grandfather as he watched them raise children of their own. The three of them loved each other dearly.

Later in life, David became a devoted stepfather to Jason. They first bonded over their love of sports, and from there, the rest was history. David cherished their conversations about Jason's engineering projects, always listening with pride and even traveling to see some firsthand. He offered Jason the same loving guidance and support he gave his own children, leaving a lasting impact Jason will carry with him always.

David was incredibly proud of all of his children's accomplishments but what he spoke of most to friends and family was the kind, compassionate, and intelligent people they had become.  He will be forever missed by each of his children.

David met his wife Elaine, a mental health nurse over twenty years ago at the Community Mental Health office in Cadillac. As their paths crossed more often, their bond deepened into love. They were married on August 21, 2004, at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island-a place that became a cherished symbol of their love. Over the years, they returned often to celebrate their connection to the island and their love to each other.

One of David's proudest accomplishments was the large, blended family he and Elaine built together. Whether it was a summer BBQ on their deck looking over Silver Lake or a holiday gathering in their living room, having all of their children and grandchildren together—eating, laughing and making memories—were among his most treasured moments. To David, it never mattered whether he was related to you by blood or not.  He eagerly and happily welcomed everyone with open arms, embracing each person as his family.

David had a deep love for dogs-he favored large breeds, while Elaine preferred the smaller ones so over the years, their home was filled with the joyful presence of dogs of all sizes: newfoundlands, golden retrievers, yorkshire terriers and cairn terriers.  Their beloved newfie, Harley, will miss her dad dearly.

Affectionately known as "Didi" by his grandchildren, David delighted in sharing his love of learning. He could often be found deep in conversation with them about history, ancient civilizations, and philosophy. Whether building models of ships or discussing Roman civilization, his passion for knowledge never dimmed. His intellectual curiosity, warm heart, and sharp wit will live on in the lives of his grandchildren.

A proud Spartan through and through, David earned all of his degrees from Michigan State University, including his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 1978. For decades, he rarely missed a home football game, faithfully cheering on the Spartans from Spartan Stadium with close friends and, later, his family. When he could no longer attend in person, he passed his tickets on to his children and grandchildren, making sure to watch from home, still part of the game-day excitement. His Spartan pride lives on in the next generation—his children and every college-aged grandchild have attended Michigan State. Go Green!

Professionally, David was a pillar in northern Michigan's mental health community, working as a psychiatrist for Northern Lakes Community Mental Health (NLCMH) for over 30 years, including 17 years as Medical Director. Admired by colleagues and beloved by patients, Dr. Riddle was a skilled and compassionate physician and a cherished mentor to many, including his own children, who followed in his footsteps to become physicians in the same northern Michigan community that he cared for so deeply.

Even after his retirement from NLCMH in 2014, his passion for mental and emotional health remained strong. He continued to take online courses to stay informed and engaged, always seeking knowledge that could help others.  Dr. Riddle's wisdom, insight, and caring nature touched countless lives.

David's family extends special thanks to his devoted caregivers, especially Ray Alvarez, Kayla Dumont, and Nancy Carmean for their compassion and care throughout the years.

A small family service will be held over Memorial Day weekend, with a larger community celebration of life planned for later this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David's name to The Father Fred Foundation, Cherryland Humane Society,  and/or Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com