Robert Ritcheske

Bob Ritcheske always knew the answer to the equation and always strived to understand how things added up in life. He was a math teacher by trade, a tutor by choice, and a loving and loyal husband, father, grandfather and friend. Bob taught us all so much in his time with us, yet more than anything, he taught us the importance of education and of keeping family first. Bobs story began on a warm summer day in 1924, as Labor Day approached in Muskegon, Michigan. Those were good days in this country, times of peace and prosperity, during the heyday of the Roaring 20s and the peak of Prohibition. On August 31, 1924, William and Etta (Hilarides) Ritcheske celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Robert William. Bob was the youngest of four children in the familys Muskegon home, joining his big siblings William, Erma and Willetta. The family lived in downtown Muskegon, in a house on the corner of Mason and Seventh, close to his dads work as a shoe salesman at Buels Shoe Store. Bobs childhood during the Depression certainly had an impact on him, yet he was making lifelong friends as his days were filled playing baseball and basketball games with the neighborhood boys. His priority however was school and he excelled academically, being recognized for his all A record and the top citizenship rating in 8th grade. He also grew into a talented athlete, and excelled especially at basketball. During his senior year, Bob was one of the most popular students, serving as class president, president of the M club, and being selected for a leading part in the 1942 senior play while working part-time at a gas service station. He was honored on the Citizens of Tomorrow program on radio station WGN, Chicago. And, he was the captain of the Muskegon High School basketball team, leading the Big Reds to the state championship game in 1942, where they lost a 27-24 overtime heartbreaker to Saginaw High. After graduating as class valedictorian in 1942, at the height of World War II, Bob joined the U.S. Navy, serving from 1943 until the wars end. Bob went through pilots training, but the war ended before he saw any action. After he was discharged, Bob continued his education, and enrolled at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1946 to pursue a teaching career. He found much more than an education there, however. One day Bob met a beautiful young coed named Betty MacDonald, who was in his Spanish 1 class and struggled to earn a C. Bob ended up being her tutor and it wasnt long before they were amoroso (in love). So, Betty got a B in Spanish 2 and a boyfriend for life. After Bob graduated in June, 1948, the young couple was married on August 21, 1948, beginning their life together. Bob and Betty moved to Muskegon, where he began teaching at Central Junior High School, the same school he had attended, and became the basketball coach at the community college. This first teaching job began his long career as a math teacher in Muskegon. Betty took charge of their home to be ready for their soon-to-be-growing family. The couple was blessed with four fine children over the years, first with their son Robert Jr. in 1949, then George in 1951, James in 1954, and daughter Nancy rounded out the family in 1960. The family started out living on Bobs sister Willies farm for awhile, before settling into a house on East Dale Ave., where they lived until Nancy was born. Needing more room, they moved to a lovely home on Davis St., right across the street from Nims School, where Bob lived most of the rest of his days. Bob was a good dad, who always encouraged his kids to be the best they could be. He could be a demanding father, not quick with a compliment, making sure they never got too satisfied. That was a good game, were you playing the girls? hed tease his boys. Yet he was a very dedicated dad, and attended their sporting events and activities as much as possible. He expected his kids to do well in school and to go to college. His children always knew that he loved them, and Bob was especially proud of their college achievements. Bob was a firm advocate for education. Early in his career, he was accepted by the National Science Foundation for advanced studies during the summer and received his Masters degree in 1961 from Union College in New York. And he supported Betty when she went back to school, after Nancy started kindergarten, to complete her degree. She graduated in 1970 and became an elementary school teacher. Bob was a gifted educator, who was universally beloved by his students. He spent two years teaching at Muskegon Central Junior High School, then nine years at Muskegon High, before moving on to Muskegon Community College, where he taught for 24 years. Bob loved teaching, and loved math, and enjoyed helping people learn even more. Even after he eventually retired, Bob continued to tutor students (and his grandkids and their friends) in math. Bob worked hard to make ends meet to provide for his family. In the summers, he worked other jobs, from painting houses, picking blueberries, selling Milwaukee Clipper tickets, working at a hardware store, to umpiring baseball games. He had a lifelong love of sports, whether it was playing golf with his buddies, watching all the Detroit sports teams, or, of course, watching golf on TV. Bob was also a loyal, longtime member of the Central United Methodist Church, where his faith in the Lord was formed. He would call upon that faith for strength over the years. Bobs life wasnt without its challenges. In the 1970s, Betty was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder, which she battled for 25 years. Her condition caused her to be in and out of the hospitals for much of that time, and while Bob learned the health care system, he lovingly cared for her the entire time. Betty had a period of about seven good years in the 1980s, but it her difficulties were very hard on Bob. Even still, he never gave up hope she would recover. Despite all their efforts, Bettys health eventually failed, and she died in 1999. Bob lived alone for a couple of years, before moving to the Hermitage Assisted Living Center in 2001, which became his home, and where he thrived. He continued his longtime love of gardening there, growing tomatoes on his balcony, and nurturing a geranium that is about 20 years old! He was the unofficial social director there, and made many good friends during his daily newspaper deliveries. And he embraced the computer and became active on the Internet to connect with his far-flung family and friends. As the years wore on, Bobs own health began to fail, as he battled bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, and had a pacemaker put in, as well. Ever the strong man he was, Bob beat all his ailments, but eventually his body began to wear out. Bob died peacefully on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, with his family by his side. He was 83. Bob was a wonderful man. Today his lessons live on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Bob is survived by his 3 sons, Robert Jr. (Patti) Ritcheske of Norton Shores, George (Roberta) Ritcheske of Coppell TX, James (Anne) Ritcheske of Bartlett IL; daughter, Nancy (Pat Hickey) Ritcheske of Grand Rapids; 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; brother-in-law Medford MacDonald; several nieces & nephews. Mr. Ritcheske was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, brother, Bill and 2 sisters, Erma Ritcheske and Willie Workman. Services are scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2008, 11:00 AM at Central United Methodist Church with Rev. Jan Johnson officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visitation is Saturday, one hour prior to the service at Central United Methodist Church. Memorial donations may be made to the Muskegon Rescue Mission. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.