Dr. Nathan Alvah Ridgeway Jr.

November 25, 1932 – August 9, 2026

Nathan A. Ridgeway, MD, age 93, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026. Dr. Ridgeway graduated from Furman University, summa cum laude and Duke University School of Medicine. After a rotating internship at Akron City Hospital, he completed his internal medicine residency at Baylor University. Dr. Ridgeway then served two years in the USPHS as lieutenant commander. He chose Kingsport for his private practice of internal medicine, joining the group of Powers, Bales, and Jernigan.

When the ETSU College of Medicine was founded, he joined the Kingsport faculty and became full professor of medicine. He enjoyed knowing and caring for his patients and teaching medical students and resident physicians. He was given 17 awards by his students and peers. He authored 20 scientific articles in various medical journals.

After retiring from the school of medicine, Dr. Ridgeway served as medical director of Kingsport’s Friends in Need Health Care Center for 14 years. His entire practice of internal medicine spanned 57 years.

In his free time, Nathan enjoyed his family and friends, golfing, motorhome camping, and world traveling.

Nathan was preceded in death by his daughter, Leanne Hannah.

He is survived by Zelda, his loving wife and companion of 52 years; son, Nathan III of Knoxville; daughter, Adrienne Molteni (Barry) of Nashville; stepdaughter, Candith Harker (Orris) of Kingsport. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Randy Frye and Dr. Phil Hoskins officiating.