Columbus, OH — Howard Beau Ridenour, 94, of Waynesfield, Ohio, a manufacturer of mobile starting gates for many years, died Feb. 3, 2024, at Lost Creek Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Lima, Ohio, with his family at his side.

Howard Beau Ridenour, 94, died Feb. 3, 2024. Provided photo.

He was born Dec. 29, 1929, in Delphos, Ohio, the son of the late Howard and Angeline (Koehl) Ridenour. Mr. Ridenour was an inventor and an entrepreneur. He enjoyed wheeling and dealing, woodworking and attending flea markets. He also will be remembered for his practical jokes and ornery sense of humor.

He had the mind of an engineer and there was nothing he could not build or do. He was the proud founder of Howard Starting Gates, which for many years manufactured virtually all mobile starting gates around the world. Today his gates are in use at many tracks, including the Meadowlands.

“Mr. Ridenour had an enormous influence on the sport,” said Dan Coon of Coon & Associates LLC, who first met Mr. Ridenour through his late father, Chuck Coon, and along with his brother, Greg, worked as a starter at many tracks and exclusively used Howard Starting Gates. “His mobile starting gates are in use all over the world and are recognized as the international standard. In addition, Howard used his mechanical expertise to introduce the first staggered and slanted starting gates.”

Mr. Ridenour was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Gay. He is survived by eight children, Diana (William) Dulebohn, Becky Lotz, Michael (Beverly), Lindsey (Erin), Peggy (Timothy) Walti, Roxanne (Paul Bailey), Patrick (Tava), and Gretchen; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; sisters, Bonnie Thomas and Nancy Driscoll; and brother, James.