Arthur Ritchie Obituary

Arthur Harmon Ritchie, WWII Veteran, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed from this life on August 29, 2002. He was born the son of Ray E. and Pearl Huey Ritchie in Ravenswood, West Virginia, in 1915. Mr. Ritchie enjoyed a long life with significant achievements.

He graduated from The Kiski School and was awarded a BSEE and BSME from West Virginia University in 1938. He served as Captain in the Army Corps of Engineers during WWII seeing action at the Remagen Bridge and in the Ardennes.

His noteworthy career as a professional engineer and contractor included 18 years with the Arkansas Department of Mining and Reclamation; 12 years as Executive Vice President of Criss and Shaver Ready Mix Concrete Company in Little Rock; 24 years as Vice President and General Manager of Boso & Ritchie, Inc. and President of Ritchie Realty Co. in West Virginia. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and a member of the Society of Professional Engineers in both West Virginia and Arkansas as well as the National Society. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Little Rock, the West Virginia Board of Pollution Control and the West Virginia Water commission. As a member of the town council in Ravenswood, West Virginia he was instrumental in the design and construction of the Municipal Electrical Generating and Distributing System that served the town for many years.

Mr. Ritchie served as president of both the West Virginia Contractors Association and president of the Associated General Contractors of West Virginia. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Jackson County Bank, and the Jackson County Board of Education.

Mr. Ritchie enjoyed associating with his friends and colleagues. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Little Rock. His fraternal affiliations included Potentate of Nemesis Temple, AAONMS, Parkersburg, West Virginia, First Commander of Dowell Commandry of the Knights Templar, the Scottish Rite, Royal Order of Jesters, Court 156 in Parkersburg, West Virginia and associate member of Court 123 in Little Rock, Arkansas; and Ashton Lodge #12 in Ravenswood, West Virginia.

Mr. Ritchie is survived by his beloved wife Maxine. They danced their first dance 64 years ago and have twirled on the dance floors of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and many other big name bands. They traveled together extensively throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. He is survived by four children: Clark Ritchie of Pittsburgh, PA, Jackson Ritchie of Midlothian, VA, Suzanne Gash of Albany, NY, and Liz Davis, of North Little Rock, AR. He has eight grandchildren: Angela Wilgus, Matthew Davis, Jerry and AJ Skaggs, Judd Blaney, Josh, Jenni and Conner Ritchie and five great grandchildren. We will miss his jolly smile, his gleeful yodeling and the infamous wave he always had for the camera.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 2, 2002 at First United Methodist Church, 8th & Center Streets, with Rev. Jeannie Burton officiating. A graveside service will be held in Ravenswood, West Virginia.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Arrangements by Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Custom Funerals & Cremations, 5800 West 12th Street, Little Rock, 661-9111. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.griffinleggett.com.