Untreated, undiagnosed and/or misunderstood mental health concerns can dramatically affect an individual’s ability to work, attend school and/or manage self care.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) at least 50% of the world population will be impacted by a mental health disorder significantly enough to impair day-to-day functioning within their lifetime.
Whether the individual is someone you love, care for, or yourself, odds are that a mental health issue directly touches your life.
Frank Ridge died on August 4th, 2013 peacefully and painlessly surrounded by loving friends and family. He was 90 years old. The son of Russian immigrants Leah and Nathan Smotrich and the youngest of 4 siblings, Frank Ridge survived the Great Depression, served as a captain in WWII and reached the top of his field as a CLU (Certified Life Underwriter). His life was rich with adventure, professional achievement and community involvement. He bicycled all over the world and across America with his daughter Julie Ridge when he was 67 years young. He parachuted from an airplane less than one year before his death. Frank Ridge lived well with mental health issues.
Ridge is survived by his daughters Lisa Kritz (Sharon, Mass) and Julie Ridge (New York, NY), son-in-law Alan Kritz (Sharon, Mass); grand-children Edward Jacob Kritz, Shayna Kritz and Jason Peterson-Ridge; great-grand-children Izzi, Paxton and Remmington Kritz, and Miri Moskowitz-Kritz; and ex-wife Dr. Jeanette Ridge.
The Frank Ridge Memorial Foundation was established in December, 2013 by his daughter Julie Ridge.
Photo of Frank Ridge and his daughter Julie Ridge by Walter P. Calahan.
