Stuart Rider defended public schools

He was an influential voice from a bygone era when political fights raged over school desegregation and teachers carried out threats to strike.

Stuart W. Rider Jr. acquired a reputation for calm on the Minneapolis school board during the turbulent 1960s and early '70s. But he also surprised colleagues by resigning and warned that the school district could be headed for destruction.

Rider died earlier this month at his home in River Falls, Wis. He was 92.

An attorney, Rider in 1960 founded Rider Bennett, a well-regarded law firm that grew to the 10th largest in the state before it closed in 2007.

But Rider's eight years on the school board, during which he served as chairman, became a defining experience.

"Stuart felt more satisfied with his service on the school board than anything else he ever did," said his wife, Georgiana.

"He was not a dominator, but his courage was never in question," said the Rev. David Preus, a school board colleague during the heated debate over court-ordered desegregation.

"There was a surge toward the stage where we were seated," Preus said. "He stood up ... and called on them to order themselves like citizens of Minneapolis ought to, that this was a matter that was going to be dealt with fairly and justly, and nothing was going to stop it."

Rider served on the school board from 1964 to 1972, then resigned abruptly as desegregation opponents mounted a campaign to take over the board in the next election.

In an interview with the Minneapolis Tribune when he announced his resignation, Rider urged supporters of desegregation and other district policies to rally support.

"Those who understand the necessity of good education ... had better wake up and recognize the falsity and danger in the 'no' position," he said. "I am persuaded that the plans of the 'negatives,' wittingly or unwittingly, will lead to the destruction of a fine school system."

Preus said Rider had become a lightning rod for desegregation critics and stepped down in part so a more electable supporter could run.

Borea, a board conservative, considered herself a Democrat. She and Preus considered Rider a liberal Republican.

Rider also dealt with a 1970 teachers strike and opposed a state law that required reducing the tenure and pay of the teachers after they returned to work.

Though Rider was a champion of the public schools, he sent his two sons for a time to the private Blake school. They finished their education in public school.

He served on the board when it had a more clubby culture, with members sometimes holding private meetings to hash over their agenda.

"No one thought anything of it," said Borea. "It was the kind of thing that was always done. ... In those days the Open Meeting Law wasn't adhered to as closely as it is today."

A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Rider home in Wisconsin.