Herbert N "Ryder or Buddy" Haskell

Delta Company June 1966 - May 1967

2nd Platoon Team Bennington

Obituary

Ryder was born in Northhampton, Massachusetts, the middle of 5 five children. He left home at 16 and made his way to California with $50 and a bible. He wanted to be a surfer and that he was. At the age of 18, he joined the Marines. He received specialized training in reconnaissance and served 2 tours in Viet Nam in that capacity. The second tour was with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. During this tour, he received three Purple Hearts. In May 1967 he suffered significant multiple injuries during an attack. He underwent extensive surgeries and rehabilitation but ultimately was medically retired from the Marines as a 100% disabled veteran. His dream of being a career Marine vanished.

Ryder’s experiences in Viet Nam changed him in profound ways and he spent the next 56 years of his life discovering new ways to approach life. He went to college and received a degree in forestry, then went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Education.  He purchased a farm in Williamsburg MA and worked on it for several years. In his mid-30’s he put his degree in forestry to work and started a logging and maple sugaring company in Amherst.  He logged forests using a team of Percheron horses weighing a ton each. The Hampton Life Gazette featured him in a photo essay on his unique approach to logging. He also worked as a town planner and as an Associate Social Worker for the Veterans Administration.  Yet he still hadn’t found his calling.

Ryder loved to cook with that seed being planted when he took a cooking class with the 4 H when he was 10. He decided he wanted to put that love to work and get out of the cold of Massachusetts which was not kind to recovering body.  He ventured to Hawaii and opened a Bed & Breakfast on Maui – the Kula Hula Inn.  He loved Hawaii, the people, the weather, and the opportunity to run, a passion he developed as a member of the track team in high school. He went on to compete in many marathons and triathlons throughout the US.  Unfortunately, the effects of 9/11 which seriously impacted travel and tourism forced him to sell his beloved B & B after more than a decade and move back to the mainland.

Ryder’s experiences in Viet Nam, the brotherhood he felt with his fellow Marines and the difficulties experienced by veterans in transitioning back to the US with the hostile reception they received, moved Ryder deeply. He found the Lord along the way and utilized the love he received to serve others, especially veterans.  He worked with various veterans’ groups throughout his post-Viet Nam days.  His most rewarding involvement was with several motorcycle groups that traveled cross country to the Viet Nam Memorial in Washington DC during Memorial Day weekend.  While in Hawaii, he felt God leading him to make that his ministry which he did for 16 years. He bought a Harley which he would ship from Hawaii to CA every year and joined groups like Run for the Wall ministering to veterans along the way.  He went on to become an ordained chaplain and served as chaplain on many of these runs. 

After Hawaii, Ryder went on to live in CO where he worked with youths in a facility for troubled teens, in New Mexico, Arizona and finally settling in TX.  In 2010 while riding his new Harley which had faulty brakes, he crashed his motorcycle and broke his neck.  That ended his motorcycle ministry.

Ryder met his future wife, Maggie Laska, on Christian Mingle in June 2012 while he was living in TX and Maggie in NY.  After a whirlwind courtship, they married after 4 ½ months both strongly feeling it was a match orchestrated by God’s hand.  Ryder moved to Glen Cove, NY and together they were active participants in churches there volunteering to serve in their churches and the community.  Ryder and Maggie bought their house in Titusville in May 2019 and became full time residents in November 2020. 

Ryder often commented that he had lived a full life, one out -of -box, one lived like not many others would have. He loved the Lord and served him by deliberately seeking ways to make other people’s lives better. He went on to write essays on some of his experiences.  One quote from his writings is – “You are raised up by lifting others up.”  That is how he lived his life.

Ryder lived life to the fullest.  He had a great sense of humor, was multi-faceted and always had a story to tell.  He was a Marine till the end. He will be greatly missed by many. Semper Fi.

Herbert “Ryder” Haskell

Delta Company

1966-1967

Michael Paxton
September 17, 2023 12:30 AM
I rode with Buddy three times across the country participating in RFTW. He shared many stories' of his life and experience's while serving in the USMC. I have to say he became one of my best friends. He will be missed.

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Bob & Diane Lowdermilk
September 6, 2023 10:41 AM
Our sincere condolences in the passing of Ryder. A wonderful man who is to be admired for his life of service and purpos

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Jimmy Dolan
September 4, 2023 12:02 AM
Semper Fi and RIP from a fellow Vietnam Combat Marine, I know the streets in heaven are guarded by the best🙏🏻🇺🇸

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Kathy Schiliro and Bob Graziano
August 30, 2023 6:32 PM
Ryder lived a beautiful life. We are sending prayers for peace to his family, especially his love, Maggie.
All our love and sympathy,

Kathy Schiliro and Bob Graziano
August 30, 2023 6:22 PM
Sending love and prayers to all of you.
With much sympathy and love,

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Paul Dostal USMC (Retired)
August 29, 2023 2:05 PM
To the Haskell family, my condolences to you. Many fond memories of Bud that go back a longtime ago to our “ Hamp” days. Great times with Bud, Whitey and Brooksie, mostly as young men just getting started in life. Here’s to good memories that will always be us with. God Bless. RIP my friend.
Semper Fi

“Duck Dostal “

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Tommy and Joyce Mansfield
August 17, 2023 6:37 PM
Please accept our condolences to the family and friends for the loss of Ryder. Prayers for Maggie and family from Tommy and Joyce Mansfield 🙏🙏🙏🙏

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Tiffani Martinez
August 26, 2023 12:26 PM
He was an amazing man !

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Semper Fi Ryder RIP

Herbert “Ryder” Haskell

June 14, 1946 ~ August 14, 2023 (age 77)

Sorry for your loss Maggie, Ryder will be greatly missed by all of his friends & brothers at the 1st reconnaissance Battalion Association. We give thanks for Buddy's life. 

Floyd - Thank you so much for this message. I had no expectation of anything like that. Just wanted to have the emails stopped since he was no longer here to receive them. It was a beautiful tribute and I was very moved and deeply touched by the presentation and message.
Ryder and I shared 11years together. It was very clear to me that being a Marine and serving his country were highly significant times in his journey and profoundly shaped his life going forward. He was so proud to be a Recon Marine.
Thank you again.

Maggie

Email 7/22/2024 5:04 PM

Maggie,

Thanks for the email if you have any photos you would like me to share with are members send them to me I'll post them for you.

Floyd