Robert Lee Riteman

Robert Lee Riteman (born St. John’s, NL, September 2, 1955; died Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 7, 2026).

Robert Riteman died peacefully on the evening of August 7, 2026, following a lengthy illness which he met with courage and on his own terms. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Philip Riteman, Holocaust survivor and recipient of many honours for his riveting testimony and education of younger generations. Robert leaves his beloved mother, Dorothy Fay Riteman (nee Smilestein), and older brother, Larry, as well as a wide circle of extended family and friends.

With nowhere to go after the Holocaust until pre-Confederation Newfoundland took him in, Philip Riteman settled in St. John’s, where both Larry and Robert were born. Rob was educated at Harrington School, Holloway School, and MacPherson Junior High, and graduated as a proud member of the Prince of Wales Collegiate Class of 1972, whose reunions he attended right up until the 50th in 2022. While at PWC, he was a member of the school’s Reach for the Top team—the 1971 provincial champions—whose success was fueled in part by his truly prodigious memory. He carried forward friendships, some formed from kindergarten through university, to the end of his life.

Graduating from Memorial University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science), Rob served on the Council of the Students' Union (CSU) in 1972/73 during a period of student unrest that resulted in student government reform. Following his graduation from Dalhousie University Law School in 1982, he was called to the Bar of Nova Scotia in 1983. Moving to Toronto, he graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree from York University in 1987, and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1989. Working as a well-regarded litigator at law firms primarily in Toronto and North York, Rob practiced in the areas of commercial, civil, and criminal litigation, as well as family law. He later found professional fulfillment teaching students at all levels, from kindergarten to community colleges, in Canada, China, and Thailand.

Returning to Bedford, Nova Scotia, as his parents aged, Rob was also the devoted owner of his dog, Marcus. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rob countered the isolation and limitations of life under lockdown by creating a unique, diverse community of friends and relatives of all races, religions, and faiths using email and WhatsApp. Here, he shared his phenomenal knowledge of music—his great passion—as well as culture, the arts, history, politics, obscure bands, favourite foods and restaurants, contemporary and historical events, and stories about Marcus. He tracked down many old friends, adding and subtracting from this group at will. Many members of this group did not know each other, but they all knew Rob. His almost daily missives were marked by independent thought, broad knowledge, eclectic (and sometimes arcane) music choices, quick wit and dry humour. They provoked wide-ranging discussions, the sharing of stories, lively debates, and fierce arguments where he was known to take no prisoners.

With his cancer diagnosis in the fall of 2023, ever the educator and raconteur, he was completely transparent and took everyone on his personal journey—detailing his treatments, his struggles with the medical system, and sharing in the sublime joys of a meal out with friends or simply savouring a favourite sandwich or cookie following a bout of treatment. He especially loved receiving photos of the children and grandchildren of his friends. Some of those adult children became part of his unique online community, developing friendships and being mentored by Rob even unto the generations.

During his illness, he benefited greatly from the care, concern, and help of friends, neighbours, extended family, and caregivers in Newfoundland, Toronto, and Nova Scotia. His death leaves a huge void, and many have used the online community he created to share memories, stories, and pictures of their unique friend.

In Newfoundland and traditional English, a "rare bird" refers to an unusual, eccentric, or one-of-a-kind person. This colloquial expression, rooted in the classic Latin phrase rara avis, denotes someone or something completely out of the ordinary. Robert Riteman was a rare bird. Rob daily embodied his belief that “just because we are dying does not mean we should stop living”. In his final months, Rob reflected that his father’s constant message—“it is better to love than to hate”—made him realize that forgiveness and letting go of hard feelings was the true manifestation of love. This made leaving his life, for which he had fought so fiercely, more tolerable and deeply meaningful during his final months.

A Graveside Service for Rob was held at Baron De Hirsch Cemetery, 3700 Windsor St., Halifax, NS, on August 10, 2026.

Donations in memoriam may be made to either the Atlantic Jewish Council Holocaust Education Fund or the Canadian Cancer Society.