Mr. Ritchie was born in Allerton, IA. The family moved to Indianola where he graduated from Simpson then Drake Law School. He was a long time attorney here as well as county attorney. He moved to Cresco in the 1960's to be Magistrate Judge of Howard County until his retirement in 1996. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.O. and Elizabeth Ritchie and his wife Margaret Moon Ritchie.

Survivors include his sister, Louise Miller of Yuba City, CA, son Louis of Indianola; daughter Mary of Omaha, NE; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.