Clyde Williams Petrie

Reverend Clyde Williams Petrie, 94, died peacefully in his apartment at Chelsea Place Memory Care, in Aurora, CO, on January 11, 2022. Clyde was born on May 24, 1927 in Schenectady, NY, to Merrill Wanmer Petrie and Mildred Eleanor Williams Petrie, and lived most of his life in New York State.

Clyde was predeceased by his parents; his brother Alvin Curtis Petrie; his first wife (43 years) Jean Palmer Brainard Petrie, and his second wife (20 years) Eleanor Deloris Johnson Rydbeck Petrie. Clyde is survived by his sister Claire Lucille Petrie Smith (Gene (d.)), of Madison, GA, his brother Russell Clinton Petrie (Margaret (d.), Cindy), of Freedom, NH, and four sons: David (Janette) of Brea, CA; Stephen (Donna) of Aurora, CO; Mark (Elizabeth) of Vestal, NY; and Timothy (April) of Matthews, NC. He also has 5 stepchildren: Bruce Rydbeck (Cherith) of Bonita Springs, FL; Randy Rydbeck (Marti) of Hamilton, MA; Don Rydbeck (Joni) of Hudsonville, MI; Dean Rydbeck (Lynne) of Opelousas, LA; and Carol Gruen (Tom) of Portsmouth, NH. On the Petrie side, Clyde has 14 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren; on the Rydbeck side, 14 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

Clyde was raised in East Glenville, NY, and graduated the Burnt Hills High School. He played baseball, sold strawberries, and learned how to swim in a cow field. Immediately after high school, before turning 18, he enlisted in the US Navy. He served on the USS Alabama and the USS Massachusetts, mostly on the West Coast. Less than 6 months later World War II ended, and he was discharged about a year later. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY (1950). He worked engineering jobs at Chase Brass and Copper Co., Waterbury, CT, and General Electric, Schenectady, NY, for four years before being called into fulltime Christian Ministry.

Clyde attended the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, from 1954-1957 where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He served as Pastor in 5 churches of the American Baptist Churches USA denomination: Newman Baptist Church, Newman, OH 1957 - 1963, Green Camp Baptist Church, Green Camp, OH 1963 - 1966, First Baptist Church, Geneva, NY 1966 - 1977, First Baptist Church, Chittenango, NY 1977 - 1984, First Baptist Church, Cooperstown, NY 1984 - 1992.

Over the years, while helping to raise four boys, Clyde also served various local and state ministries, as board member, director, etc., including: the Center of Concern (founder), Geneva, NY; the Upstate Home for Children, Oneonta, NY; Camp Vick (camp Director), Freedom, NY; and local Council of Churches. On retirement, Clyde moved to be near a son in Vestal, NY. He continued to preach in interim and supply positions, and he and Jean traveled to visit family.

Two years after the death of his first wife, Clyde married Eleanor (Ellie) Johnson Rydbeck, and moved back to his hometown of Schenectady, NY. He and Ellie ministered to many people, led a grief support group, and hosted many people in their home. Together, they traveled the country to attend countless grandchildren's graduations and weddings.

Clyde was in good health physically, but suffered progressively from Alzheimer's Disease the last several years. He will be buried next to his first wife (Jean Brainard Petrie) and several of the Brainard family, in Phoenix, NY.

Memorial gifts may be sent to your favorite charity. Clyde supported several, including: Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (intervarsity.org), the City Mission of Schenectady (citymission.com), or Life Giving Water International (lifegivingwaterinternational.org).

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