Working with Dr. Ritchie at MSU was one of the highlights of my career. He was passionate about his work, his family and serving the people of Michigan throughout the state. Fun times meeting deadlines, getting him to the airport on time, hearing stories of runaway animals and of course the seminars. I just learned of his passing today and am very sad. Warm thoughts to all of you.

Leah -- My thoughts are still with you - but wanted you to know that John and Harlan are together again - & sharing their memories of the ISU days. - and the judging team.  John joined Harlan on Easter morning - found out he had Leukemia in Jan. --but he said he lived a good 82 years.  My prayers -   Barb Eilts

I Sure miss you Uncle Harlan so much think of you every waking moment of the day

Our sympathies go out to you Leah and all the family.  Harlan was always a good friend -- and we had many good times together when we were on the ISU LIvestock Judging Team.  Those were really special times and I was so glad we got to have a couple reunions with all our judging team.. Special memories!!!                                                 
                                                                       John and Barb Eilts

My sympathy to Leah and family.  I have many fond memories of Harlan as a classmate at ISU and especially as a fellow member of ISU's Livestock Judging Team in 1956.  The highlight of the year was our win at the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago.  What a surprise when President, James H. Hilton of Iowa State College showed up at our table to personally congratulate us on the win.

My condolence's to the Ritchie family during this time of loss. Harlan was a true pioneer, visionary and leader to the livestock/agricultural field. His impact and legacy will forever be remembered. There's no doubt I'm a better person from having known Harlan as he was one of the main reasons why I attended Michigan State. Simply stated, we lost a great one!

To Leah, Bill, Don, and Christopher, as well as MaryAnn and Bruce, I send my condolences.  As the eldest of the few Ritchie cousins, we always looked up to Harlan and his accomplishments.

Cory Ritchie, West Des Moines, Iowa

Our sympathy to Leah, Bill, Don, Chris and all the family.  
In the fall of 1968, Dr. Ritchie came to Iowa to interview me for the beef herdsman position at Michigan State.  After a visit to the campus, Ruth and I decided to take the job starting in January 1969.  Little did we know, as Harlan would say, that was the start of the "glory years" for MSU cattle.  
Harlan was traveling a lot judging, and he had the opportunity to visit farms and purchase cattle from all over the United States and Canada.  Within 12 months the Angus herd was almost completely turned over. 
He was the leader in the beef cattle industry for going to bigger-framed, higher-performance cattle.  As the news spread, people from all over the world came to East Lansing to see the type of cattle he wanted to breed.  Tours of the cowherd and herd bulls were given daily.  What an exciting time to be involved with Michigan State cattle!
Thank you to Dr. Harlan Ritchie for giving us the opportunity to be a part of that era.  It was and always will be a special time in my life.

Leah, Bill,Don,Christopher and families. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. It was a pleasure to have worked with and for Harlan for many years.Many fond memories of those times.The 11:00 or midnight phone calls from the Denver or Chicago Airports are near the top of the list.
Doug Nielsen

Leah, our condolences to you and all the family.  Thank you for sharing the pictures.

Alan & Dawn Sell

I wish to express my sympathy to the Ritchie family for their loss. Harlan's presence in my life was certainly a positive one. His guidance and direction in my education was treasured and very much appreciated. The direction my life has taken since college is a direct reflection of not only knowing Harlan but also my introduction to others in the livestock industry that Harlan identified as true leaders and pioneers. I will always remember how Harlan touched my life in a very positive way.  Phil AcMoody (Coldwater,  Mi.)

To the Ritchie Family, You were blessed to have such a special man in your lives. Thanks for sharing all these pictures. Harlan and Leah have been in my prayers for some time. I will also remember all of you now. May his grandchildren grow knowing what a loving grandfather they had.

Harlan was one of the elite leaders in the livestock industry.  This is confirmed in the recognitions he has received over the years and the impact he has had on many successful individuals over his career.  I can reflect on my relationship and interactions when a staff member at the Am Polled Hereford Association and working with him when in the pork industry with Orville Sweet.  I pray for comfort for the family and for those he influenced to carry on those traits that we learned from him.

I was a student of Harlan's in the 1960's and remember him as a hardworking young instructor who was respected by all who loved livestock production.  Later in life I had the honor of being in the wedding party when he married my friend of many years, Leah.  A few years down the road he retired and became my neighbor in Florida.  When I look back over the many relationships we shared, the one that that means the most to me is the one he really was best at being...a friend.

I was one of Dr. Ritchie's students in a beef production class at MSU back in 1970 and remember him as a terrific teacher, who helped inspire a young man from Detroit to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

Harlan, you certainly made a positive difference in my life and in many others.   As coach on our live stock judging trips you you always set a good example .  Your excellent  influence was much greater than just judging animals.  I will always cherish our friendship  and  the international  discussions we have had during  our association.
I send Leah and the boys my condolences.

Leah, I didn't know Harlan well, but you two seemed to be very happy together and I celebrate that.  I am so sorry for your loss.  May God's loving Presence sustain and hold you in the days to come.

We send our condolences to the family of Harlan Ritchie.  Dr. Ritchie was a friend and tax client for decades.  May God forever bless and cherish his good and faithful servan

Joe & Gloria Sanger

Harlan was a mentor and friend during the time I was on the faculty in Animal Husbandry from 1974-1977.  I have never forgotten how much he helped and supported me during those years, and have many fond memories of great discussions with Harlan.  My respect for him as a beef industry leader and scientist continued to grow during the years since. 
Danny Fox, professor Emeritus, Cornell University

Leah, my thoughts and prayers are with you.  The  family pictures are wonderful.

Sad to learn of Harlan's passing.  Good memories of Harlan and his responsiveness to producers and Extension agents. Harlan's first visit to Antrim Co. at my request was around 1974. He was scheduled for a night meeting at Central Lake, and came apologetically huffing and puffing into the meeting about 45 min. late. (Before GPS and cell phones.)  He was reading the highway map and was looking for "Chestonia" to turn toward CL.  Problem was, Chestonia had been gone for decades, but still noted on the map.  He said, "I knew the intersection was there somewhere, but I couldn't find the turn in the dark." With perseverance, he eventually got to the meeting and all was well. Actually, the incident was sort of funny. Condolences to Leah and family. 
Harlan will be missed.

Harlan was a transformational educator that had a very positive impact on our lives, careers and businesses. Sympathy, Prayers, God Bless;

Harlan was the first campus Specialist that I met after coming to Lenawee Co. and made a most favorable impression that never changed. We were so pleased when you two were joined in marriage and attempted to visit you unannounced while back in MI once but you were out of the area. Our prayers are with you as you endure this loss.
Ray & Mary Gillespie, Greenwood, SC

Leah, Bill, Don and Family -- So very sorry for your loss.  Please know you're in my daily thoughts and prayers.

I worked in the department of Animal Science during much of tine Dr. Richie was there.  I always enjoyed working with him and thought of him as one of the primary anchors of that department.  Elaine Fink

I had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Richie on the many occasions that he came to Texas to judge for the Texas Junior Livestock Association.  I can't express how much I admired and respected him.  He was a man of great intellect but he was able to convey his vision easily.  I want to express my condolences to his family.
He was a great man, and he will be missed by many.

I was so fortunate to have met and spent quality time with Harlan during my visits to USA more importantly I had the pleasure of meeting and entertaining him during his visit to Australia in May 1991.I will always cherish memories of this wonderful man and his work to improve production, management and animal welfare. We continued to correspond until his illness struck even then Leah passed on my messages.
My wife Beatrice and I had the wonderful opportunity to entertain Harlan  in our home here in Australia. Our prayers and thoughts are with Leah and the family at this very sad time.

Leah,  so sorry to read of Harman's death tonight.I never knew him well, but from the time I was hired, I always admired him because of what what I read about him and the respect staff had for him.  When you two married, I knew he must be a very special man.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  God Bless YOU!

Harlan defined what an Extension Specialist was meant to be. Always serving Michigan producers...often in person vs from an office in Anthony Hall. A real game changer...he will be missed.  Our smpathy goes to Leah and all the family.

My condolences to Leah and the rest of the Ritchie Family.  My close relationship to both Harlan and Leah brings back great memories that I will always cherish.  I have always credited much of my success to the mentoring of Harlan while I was an undergrad and grad student at MSU.

To Leah, Bill, Don and Chris,
My deepest sympathy to you in the passing of your husband and father. Harlan meant the world to me not only during my graduate tenure at MSU, but during my career. As graduate students he deeply respected us and constantly put us in positions that would allowed us to learn and blossom under controlled and sometime uncontrolled educational roles. I remember vividly getting phone calls in the evening from Harlan asking if I could give his beef production lecture the next morning. Honestly I felt sorry for his undergrad students, but he knew that these situations would make better professionals out us. And I believe it did. He gave us opportunities in front of undergrads, graduate students and especially with producers. Without a doubt Harlan's mentoring lead me to become an Extension Beef Specialist at Iowa State, trying my best to follow in his huge foot prints.
Harlan never abandoned any of us that were his students at MSU. All the way through my career at ISU he was there to assist in programs, presentations and providing knowledge to make all of us in the educational field better at what we did. There has not been anyone in my nearly 40 year career that did the professional service to the cattle industry like Harlan.
Leah I cherish that luncheon we did almost 5 years ago where you, Harlan, Cathy and David Hawkins, and Bill Magee joined myself and my wife Cathy. Harlan and I greatly enjoyed revisiting the old days and laughing about some of the experiences that we got into then and afterwards in our Extension endeavors.
Family, remember the great times he gave you and be assured that the good Lord has accepted him into his loving arms with great respect and admiration. Best to all of you. 
Dr. Daryl Strohbehn (retired ISU Extension Animal Science Professor)

Not only was Harlan a legendary livestock man, wonderful educator,but was also avery good person! RIP

To the Richie family.  So very sorry for your loss.  Harlan was an icon to the agricultural world and I remember showing numerous times under him and just simple talking with him. My condolences to you all.

To Harlan's Family and close friends, my condolences! I have nothing but admiration, good memories and fine thoughts about Harlan. I was able to walk a couple of pastures with Harlan early in my master's program. I was surprised to have him ask me of my opinion about potential beef on the hoof. A class act all the way around.

David G. Main

OBITUARIO

Harlan Don Ritchie Ph.D.

3 agosto, 1935 – 27 abril, 2016

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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