Memorial event for former longtime Springfield city manager to be held April 14

Former Springfield City Manager Matt Kridler, shown with his wife, Kathy, died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, at 69. He served 20 years here, the longest tenure for a Springfield city manager in its history. CONTRIBUTED

Former Springfield City Manager Matt Kridler, shown with his wife, Kathy, died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, at 69. He served 20 years here, the longest tenure for a Springfield city manager in its history. CONTRIBUTED

Former Springfield City Manager Matt Kridler, who was the longest-serving leader in the city, will be remembered at a remembrance event at City Hall on April 14.

Kridler, 69, died Aug. 22 due to complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. Those who knew him are welcome to join the family at the City Hall Forum from 12-2 p.m.

Refreshments will be available, and family and visitors may speak briefly beginning at 1 p.m.

Kridler served as city manager from 1988 until his retirement at the end of 2008. He graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Penn State University with a master’s degree in public administration policy.

He was recognized as city manager of the year by the Ohio City Managers Association.

Current City Manager Bryan Heck said in August that Kridler’s work in the role continues to positively influence Springfield. He said he helped Mercy and Community hospitals come together and emphasized the importance of being downtown, bringing 2,000 jobs to the area.

Kridler was from Pennsylvania, and he and his wife, Kathy, raised their two children, Maggie and Kyle, in Springfield. They moved to Gibsonia near Pittsburgh when the former city manager was having health issues and Kathy needed support to care for him.

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