To my father from Scott Ritchie:
How does someone talk about a person they’ve known their entire life? Robert Ritchie was not just a father and a husband, but he was good person who lived a good life and he did his best to raise a child who never got the opportunity to know his mother. He was my champion, my protector, and a best friend. Without him, I don’t know where I would be. His favors to me over my lifetime are too numerous to count. He guided me through my education; he took my wife to her chemotherapy treatments, he helped me find my townhome. I’ve never won the lottery, but I did hit the jackpot where fathers are concerned. I’ll never have are more caring and kind person in my life. I’ll try to live by his example, but I know in my soul that I’ll never measure up. He’ll be forever missed and he’ll always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve lost a piece of myself and a best friend.


To my Father From Scott
How does someone talk about a person they’ve known their entire life? Robert Ritchie was not just a father and a husband, but he was good person who lived a good life and he did his best to raise a child who never got the opportunity to know his mother. He was my champion, my protector, and a best friend. Without him, I don’t know where I would be. His favors to me over my lifetime are too numerous to count. He guided me through my education; he took my wife to her chemotherapy treatments, he helped me find my townhome. I’ve never won the lottery, but I did hit the jackpot where fathers are concerned. I’ll never have are more caring and kind person in my life. I’ll try to live by his example, but I know in my soul that I’ll never measure up. He’ll be forever missed and he’ll always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve lost a piece of myself and a best friend.

To my loving husband BOB

I Thanks God every day for allowing me to know you for 30 years with 21 years happy married. I was a lucky person to marry a wonderful man like you such a loving husband and dedicated father. We were raising our 2 wonderful boys together from elementary, Middle school, high school then college. We have been traveled many places together. We share everything from meeting your colleagues at the school where you were teaching for 33 years. We have a group of our friends from the church then meeting my friends and co-workers at my office. Sharing all the social functions such as GDL outing, Beach party, company picnic and Christmas party. You enjoyed talking to people. Everyone told me that you are the man who loves his sports. Especially college basketball, beside sport you like to talk about politics and travel. Everyone loves your present on all the events. All of these, I am thinking of losing you is such so much pains and heavy in my heart. I am not just losing you, but I lost my best friend, my big rock and my soul maid for life. Oh God my heart is broken in many pieces, I just don’t know what to do without you. We still have so much unfinished plans to do. I love you so much and can’t let go of you, but I realize that this is how God wants and he is calling you then I have to let you go. You just have to be patient waiting for me some day when my time comes, I will joy you again to an eternal life. 
Good bye for now darling,
I love you with all my heart!


Bob+Anna, dear friends from early 70s, attended our son Erics wedding reception Jan 2000 in Granda Hills. We were so very pleased to share this happiest of family occasions with them. Lovely memories!

Saying to Goodbye My Friend Bob
To Anna, Scott and Tony

I want to communicate my heartfelt condolences for your loss. I know this is a time of great sadness for all of you and everyone whose life Bob touched, for his kind gentle heart touched all of our lives—mine especially.
I’ve known Bob since I began teaching at Burbank Middle School back in the Spring of 1997. During the brief six years I worked with Bob, he taught me a lot about the art of teaching. He taught me, for example, there is much in my own life experience that can be useful teaching and how it can be used to adapt whatever it is I teach to the needs of my students.
Bob and I, although we seem to others to be opposites in so many ways, we had much more in common, than not. We both were veterans. He having served as a Marine, and I having served as a Navy Corpsman, a good part of my enlistment with the Marine Corps.
It was Bob’s kind soul and gentle nature, that first attracted me to him and over the years made us such good friends. This is what I will most miss about Bob. His patience, especially with a guy like me wound up too tight for his own good. This is what I will remember and cherish forever. It was his patience and boundless sense of humor, in the end, that what I will remember most about Bob.
Yes, I will dearly miss you, Bob. I don’t know where kind souls like you go, but I’m positive you will be smiling down on your beloved Anna, Scott and Tony and all the rest of us, and I am certain, if we all listen closely, we will hear your good-humored laughter. God Bless You, Bob Ritchie—Fair thee well my friend...

“May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry aloft to dance with the stars.”
George Jung, “Blow by Blow”


Anna, Scott, and Tony,   Antoinette, and I want to extend our deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to the entire family.   Bob was a special man, and I will not only miss him as a friend, but also a man who could talk sports for hours.  He could recite players stats like no person that I've ever known.  What a guy! God bless.    Joe and Antoinette

Bob and I met at college nearly 50 years ago. We have been friends ever since. As we were both veteran's we had a common bond. Bob was a loving husband and a dedicated father. I will always remember his smiling face and friendship. 

You will be dearly missed Bob!  I hope you are enjoying watching basketball with John Wooden.. 

OBITUARY

Robert William Ritchie

December 26, 1938 – May 4, 2019

Gates, Kingsley & Gates Praiswater Mortuary

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