Ritchie Dunn

Ritchie was a colorful personality. He was a genuinely down to earth person, quick-witted storyteller, family man, respected businessman, and an exceptionally loyal friend.

He was born June 6, 1927 in Oakland to Hazel and John Dunn. He grew up in the Pacific Heights district of San Francisco with lots of neighborhood pals, several of whom he remained close with his entire life.

After graduating from Menlo High School in 1945, Ritchie joined the Merchant Marines as a purser at age 17, making him one of the youngest officers to ever serve on a U.S. merchant ship during WW II.

At U.C. Berkeley he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Senior Honor Society. After graduating from Cal, Ritchie married Jean MacLachlan, and was commissioned to Army duty in Germany as commander of an ambulance company during the Korean War. He and Jean had many stories about the fun they had travelling across Europe in a convertible MG. They later settled in Mill Valley, California where they started raising their family.

In 1962, they moved to Pebble Beach where Ritchie opened two successful gift shops in Carmel. He worked hard, but also loved a competitive game of tennis or sailboat race. Among his new host of friends he was known for his gregarious humor, stubborn opinions, trademark eyebrows, and Scottish thriftiness.

Ritchie was interested in people from all walks of life. Wherever he travelled he chatted with clerks, cab drivers, proprietors, curious about what they did. He always remembered birthdays.

In 1987 he formed a non-profit “Friends of the Veterans Home of California.” With the help of wife Carol Anne, they raised funds for 25 years improving quality of life for patients at the Yountville Veterans Home.

He and Carol Anne enjoyed taking the van on fishing trips to Oregon. His favorite travel destination was London, and they flew there often. Ritchie was also a lifelong fan of Dixieland music. He was particularly keen on the trombone, an instrument he took up late in life, much to the dismay of neighbors.

In addition to Carol Anne, Ritchie is survived by his sister Gwendolyn of Los Altos, his children Leslie, and Jim, and daughter-in-law Laura of Carmel Valley. He is remembered fondly by his grandchildren John and Jimmy, as well as nieces, nephews and their families.

We already miss Ritchie a lot, but are grateful for the love and wonderful life he provided. He will always be in our hearts and in our thoughts.

A funeral service will be held Friday September 9, 2016 at 1:00 PM at St John's Chapel in Monterey, with a celebration of Ritchie's life following in the chapel reception hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans Home of California, Yountville, 260 California Dr. Yountville, CA 94599.

Arrangements under the direction of The Paul Mortuary, Pacific Grove, CA.