Ruthven “Riv” Maddox, 93, of Hillsboro died Jan. 20, 2020. Mr. Maddox was the grandson of the man who invented the Maddox Rod, a tool used in ophthalmology. He was a medical product export sales manager for Sherwood Medical Industries of St. Louis and an avid world traveler, having lived in Australia, West Africa and India as well as England, where he was born. He grew up in Chester and graduated from King’s Bruton boarding school. He was drafted into the British Army in 1944 and served during World War II and a few subsequent years as an army map maker. He met his late wife on the RMS Queen Mary, and they lived in Australia for years before moving to Missouri after the birth of their sons. He has lived in Jefferson County for the past 29 years. His work at Sherwood brought him repeatedly to every country in Latin America, fueling his love for Latin American culture
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years: Jane (Gafney) Maddox.
He is survived by two sons: Kevin and Sean; two grandsons: Nicolas and Lucas; a sister: Thelma Maddox Whyte of England; and numerous other family members and friends.
A memorial will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Lake Wauwanoka. Community Center.