David Michael Ritter

He was born in Washington, D.C., on June 29, 1955. He grew up in Virgina Hills, a suburb of Alexandria, VA, and attended Hayfield Secondary School, where he played Center for the Hayfield Hawks football team. He graduated in 1973. In 1985, David received an A.A.S in Business Management from Northern Virginia Community College.

On March 29, 1984, David married Dorothy, the girl next door, at the Bush Hill Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, VA. They celebrated 42 anniversaries together.

After high school, David began working for the Department of the Army. He started as a Mail Clerk, and through an Army intern training program, was promoted to Computer Programmer Analyst. During his government career, he worked in Alexandria, VA; Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, PA; and Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL. After 37 years of dedicated civil service, he retired as an Information Specialist from Redstone Arsenal.

While living in Chambersburg, PA, David was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Chambersburg and served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher.

David had many interests. He was a handyman par excellence and could fix plumbing, cars, and build furniture. In the backyard, he built two pergolas and a large shed and did landscaping. He loved nature and was a proud landlord of bluebird houses and a purple martin colony. He planted serviceberry trees, oak trees, and grapevines for wildlife. He enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku and read three newspapers every day. He was a coffee gourmet and a wine connoisseur. He was also very interested in history, especially the Civil War. He loved to travel with his family, going to Panama, Mexico, Hawaii, New Orleans, the Florida Keys. A favorite vacation spot was Fort Morgan, AL.

David was a devoted husband and father and worked hard to provide for his family. He was someone who could always be depended on. His family will miss his strength, wisdom, and sense of humor. Goodbye for now, dear David, until we meet again.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his son, Jacob Ritter, Huntsville, AL; his daughter, Rachel Marshall (Mike), Owens Cross Roads, AL; and, his brother, Bruce Ritter (Kathy), Woodbridge, VA. Other family members include in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Niland and Marion Ritter, Alexandria, VA, and his sister Caroline Brinkman and her son, Robert Brinkman, Jr., of Fredericksburg, VA.

The Ritter family would like to thank the following:

Thank you to the staff and caregivers of The Legacy Center, Huntsville, AL. We appreciate your professionalism and dependability during David’s long illness. A very special thank you to Mrs. Helen Dalizu, for her compassionate care of David for almost 4 years. You were such a blessing.

To Southern Care New Beacon Hospice: Thank you for the excellent care you provided to David. From the office staff to nurses, aides, and family services, you were always responsive and professional and compassionate. Thank you.

A memorial service will be held May 29, 2026 in Richmond, VA.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16