Richard Thomas Ritter

Ritter, Richard T.

Our cowboy, Richard "Dick" Thomas Ritter went home to be with the Lord, February 18, 2018, on his ranch in the seat of his UTV taking care of his cows he loved. He forgot to write his sappy standout obituary as well as a few other things before passing, so his children stepped up to do it.

Dick was born in Sunbury, PA on January 5, 1947, to Walter Stieninger "Tony" and Mary Catherine Roush. His family which included three brothers moved to Albuquerque in 1957. He attended Highland High School and graduated in 1964. He received a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from New Mexico State University in 1968. He was united in holy marriage to Linda Wood on June 8, 1968 at St Timothy’ Lutheran Church in Albuquerque and blessed with 49 years of married life together. God also blessed them with the gift of four children. He was a Certified Public Accountant devoted to many loyal clients so that he could play rancher after hours on his lifelong dream of Kelly Canyon Ranch located in Lemitar, New Mexico.

Dick was committed to his community and spent a lot of time dedicated to many organizations. He was the Chairman of the Socorro County Soil and Water Conservation District. He served on the NM Farm and Livestock Bureau State Board and was their Socorro County Treasurer. He was a faithful member of Hope Lutheran Church. He was elected president of Hope Lutheran Church the second Sunday he attended in June of 1996. He was member of the Rio Grande Water Rights Association. Dick spent over 39 years supporting and volunteering for 4-H and FFA. Dick is responsible for creating a Buyer’s Club to support the Socorro Junior Livestock Sale and a County Bred Premium Steer Show. He believed in recognizing and showing appreciation of the local breeders in Socorro County. He was a competitive livestock show dad/grandpa who taught his children the greatest life lessons through agriculture.

Dick was drafted for service by the United States Selective Service and reported for induction February 17, 1969 and honorably discharged February 16, 1971 with honors of National Defense Service Medal, Expert Rifle and good conduct medals.

Dick had a way of saying outlandish stuff to get folk’s goad. He loved ice cream and most times had a stash of chocolate candy readily available in his pockets. His pockets were full of many other treasures and adventures. He took pure joy in introducing and teaching his ten-remarkable grandchildren and several great nieces and nephews how to smoke candy cigarettes over real cigarettes. Before passing he planned to take as many of his grandchildren as possible to see a show that included trained cats and the whole family will go to embrace our memories of him.

Dick is survived by his wife Linda Wood Ritter of Lemitar, New Mexico; their four children, son Stephen Ritter and his wife, Kendel and their children Brooklynn and Stephen Jr. of Corrales, NM, son Nathan Ritter and his wife, Anissa and their children Liliana, Shaylee, and Paislee of Lemitar, NM, daughter Deana Curnutt and her husband, Nathan Curnutt and their children Ian, Gus and Ned of Roswell, NM; daughter Bethany Rosales and her husband, Cecil and their children Tatum and Grady of Lemitar, NM. He is survived by his mother, Mary Ritter of Albuquerque, NM, a brother John Ritter and his wife Diane also of Albuquerque, NM, a sister-in-law Mary Ritter of Roswell, NM, a sister-in-law Mona Benson and her husband Linn (partners Benson/Ritter, LLC ) of Napa County, CA. and Santa Fe, NM. Here is where the list could get even more outrageous. He adored his numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was a popular man who leaves behind a great number of cherished friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter "Tony", brothers Ned and Bruce, and his father and mother-in-law Dan and Lucille Wood.

Dick would have loved to have had the service at his home congregation, Hope Lutheran Church, 908 Leroy Pl., Socorro, NM, but would not be possible, a funeral service of Hope Lutheran Church will be held at Kelly Hall on the Socorro County Fairgrounds, 1301 Fairgrounds Rd, Socorro, NM, Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Marcus Zill, of Albuquerque, NM who serves as the Director of Campus Ministry for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The family will greet friends at a reception immediately following the funeral service. Dick will receive a Christian burial at Santa Fe National Veterans Cemetery Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 2:15 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Dick Ritter Buyer’s Club and sent to First State Bank PO Box Z, Socorro, NM 87801. The funds raised will help support future livestock exhibitors of Socorro County 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale. Memorial gifts may also be made to Hope Lutheran Church at PO Box 1907, Socorro, NM 87801.

To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com. Dick's care has been entrusted to

Daniels Family Funeral Services

309 Garfield St

Socorro, NM 87801

575-835-1530