In Memory Of
Don Ritschard
1932
2014
Don Ritschard
November 7, 1932 — December 11, 2014
Donald Lee Ritschard Sr., 82 of Northglenn, died Thursday, December 11, 2014.
He was born in Denver on November 7, 1932 to Iva Hotchkins and was adopted by Fritz Ritschard when he was 12 years old. He graduated from West Grand High School in Kremmling, Colorado in 1950. On February 5, 1952 he joined the Air Force. He was a Korean War Veteran and honorably discharged as a Senior Master Sergeant on February 27, 1956.
In 1956, he joined the Air National Guard as a Military Air Traffic Controller. Starting from 1967-1982, he worked for FAA as an Air Traffic Controller in these cities: Greeley, CO; Anchorage, AK; Great Falls, MT; and Albuquerque, NM.
He moved back to Denver in 1982. In 1983, he started with ADCOM as 911 police dispatcher. He retired the first time in 2003 and went back part time in 2005 and finally retired in 2011.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Ritschard of Northglenn and his children:
Daughter, Shelley Byerly of Lakewood;
Son, Jay Ritschard, and Daughter-in-law, Carol, of Englewood;
Son, Tim Ritschard, and daughter-in-law, Pat, of Colorado Springs;
Son, Terry Ritschard, and daughter-in-law, Rachael, of Papua New Guinea;
Daughter, Robbin Fait, and son-in law, Steve, of Arvada;
Son, Donald Lee Ritschard Jr and daughter-in-law, Tammie;
Adopted son, Terry Edward Ritschard
Step children include: Bernard Kelly Jr. of Parker; Robert Kelly and wife, Donita, of Northglenn; Vicky Michaud of Northglenn; and his beloved dog, Rascal.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Iva Ritschard; Sisters, Leona and Jenny; Brothers, Ray, Charlie and Bill. Son, Jerry Ritschard and step son, Steve Kelly. A great grandson, baby Jay; and his beloved dog, Paco, whose ashes will be buried with him.
He is survived also by 45 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren and 8 great, great grandchildren.
He and his wife of 47 years loved to take trips to visit family. This included many trips to the east coast, the Rocky Mountains, Estes Park, and his home town of Kremmling. They would also enjoy their annual trip to Alice's home town of Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
A viewing will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home from 5-7pm on Thursday, December 18th. Services will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home on Friday, December 19 at 1pm and followed by burial at Ft. Logan. There will be a pot luck dinner at 489 S. Balsam, Lakewood CO 80226. This is at the club house, following immediately after services.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please click on the "Share Memories" button above.
He was born in Denver on November 7, 1932 to Iva Hotchkins and was adopted by Fritz Ritschard when he was 12 years old. He graduated from West Grand High School in Kremmling, Colorado in 1950. On February 5, 1952 he joined the Air Force. He was a Korean War Veteran and honorably discharged as a Senior Master Sergeant on February 27, 1956.
In 1956, he joined the Air National Guard as a Military Air Traffic Controller. Starting from 1967-1982, he worked for FAA as an Air Traffic Controller in these cities: Greeley, CO; Anchorage, AK; Great Falls, MT; and Albuquerque, NM.
He moved back to Denver in 1982. In 1983, he started with ADCOM as 911 police dispatcher. He retired the first time in 2003 and went back part time in 2005 and finally retired in 2011.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Ritschard of Northglenn and his children:
Daughter, Shelley Byerly of Lakewood;
Son, Jay Ritschard, and Daughter-in-law, Carol, of Englewood;
Son, Tim Ritschard, and daughter-in-law, Pat, of Colorado Springs;
Son, Terry Ritschard, and daughter-in-law, Rachael, of Papua New Guinea;
Daughter, Robbin Fait, and son-in law, Steve, of Arvada;
Son, Donald Lee Ritschard Jr and daughter-in-law, Tammie;
Adopted son, Terry Edward Ritschard
Step children include: Bernard Kelly Jr. of Parker; Robert Kelly and wife, Donita, of Northglenn; Vicky Michaud of Northglenn; and his beloved dog, Rascal.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Iva Ritschard; Sisters, Leona and Jenny; Brothers, Ray, Charlie and Bill. Son, Jerry Ritschard and step son, Steve Kelly. A great grandson, baby Jay; and his beloved dog, Paco, whose ashes will be buried with him.
He is survived also by 45 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren and 8 great, great grandchildren.
He and his wife of 47 years loved to take trips to visit family. This included many trips to the east coast, the Rocky Mountains, Estes Park, and his home town of Kremmling. They would also enjoy their annual trip to Alice's home town of Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
A viewing will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home from 5-7pm on Thursday, December 18th. Services will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home on Friday, December 19 at 1pm and followed by burial at Ft. Logan. There will be a pot luck dinner at 489 S. Balsam, Lakewood CO 80226. This is at the club house, following immediately after services.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please click on the "Share Memories" button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Don Ritschard, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, December 18, 2014
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Mountain time)
Newcomer - West Metro Chapel
Service
Friday, December 19, 2014
Starts at 1:00 pm (Mountain time)
Newcomer - West Metro Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 1
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