Raymond A. Ritter Jr.

Raymond A Ritter Jr., MD died peacefully at home with his loving wife and family at his side on May 16, 2018. He was born July 28, 1937 at Saint Francis Hospital to Helen H and Raymond A Ritter Sr., MD. He graduated from Central High School in 1955, Washington University in 1958 Pro Meritis, Washington University School of Medicine Cume Laude in 1962 (Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha). He completed internship and residency in Orthopaedic surgery at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, in 1967. He served in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1967 to 1970 in Munich, Germany. He received numerous awards in academics and was published in many professional journals. His leadership as President of the Medical Staff of Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Hospital, President of Cape Girardeau County Medical Society and the Missouri State Orthopedic Society was instrumental in the development of the level of excellence we now have in our medical community and benefited countless patients and their families. He was instrumental in the development of the Crippled Children's Clinic at Saint Francis Hospital before there was specialty Pediatric Orthopedics in St. Louis. He performed the first total hip in Southeast Missouri and was the second in the state of Missouri. He was a Fellow, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and The American College of Surgeons, as well as many state and national societies. He received his specialty boards certification from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in 1969. Providing care to patients was one of his great joys. He was also a cosmopolitan man with many interests and talents including painting, sculpture, writing poetry, cooking, fishing, mountain climbing, traveling, horseback riding and was a great lover of ice cream. Family and friends were his real joy. His marriage to Ann Wescoat Ritter was the foundation of his adult life. Together they raised three sons, R. August (Laura) Ritter III, MD, John L (Karlyle) Ritter, MD, Brian (Angie) Ritter, ten grandchildren, Kaitlen (Caleb) Stewart, R. A. Graham (Taylor) Ritter, Jessie (Brian) Toups, Evan (Caroline) Ritter, Abby Ritter, J. Blake Ritter, Anne-Marie Ritter, Amber Voerg, Ashlie (Jami) Voerg, Alex (Chris) Beck and three great-grandchildren. His sisters Caroline and Margaret and his brother Carl added six nieces and nephews and great joy to his life. He was always so proud of their accomplishments and set an example for them on how to be a loving husband, father, grandfather, compassionate caregiver, hard worker and faithful follower of Christ. His greatest legacy is the effect he had on his family, friends and patients. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond A Ritter Sr., MD and Helen H Ritter, son John L Ritter, MD and his sister Caroline (Ritter) Reitz. His wish was a simple funeral with no flowers or gifts but asked “that you give love and show concern to those I am no longer able to do so.” He asked that at the next Sunday service that he be remembered in prayer “for forgiveness of any sins by God and those whom I have sinned against and for commitment of my soul to God.” Visitation will be open to the public on Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Ford and Sons Funeral Home on Mt. Auburn. The funeral will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 3:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau with Rev. Ellen Gurnon officiating. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family asks that you support and give to First Presbyterian Church, Saint Francis Medical Center Hospice or the charity or church of your choice.

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Raymond A. Ritter Jr.

July 28, 1937 - May 16, 2018