He was born in St. Louis, MO to Frank Max and Clara Frances Pohlman Ritter. He was married on April 29, 1940 in St. Louis to Mary Virginia Roach who died on July 12, 1962. He was married on May 4, 1963 in Jefferson City to Marion Catherine Bowers who died on August 28, 2001. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Pamela Ritter, Rogers, Arkansas; his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Ralph E. Adams, Mabank, Texas; six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; a brother, Ralph Ritter, Chesterfield, MO; and a sister, Shirley Schroeder, Greenville, MS. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank Ritter and Clarence Ritter. Mr. Ritter was a member of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph; Legion of Mary; was captain of the Dan C. Coppen Fourth Degree Assembly, Knights of Columbus; and Communion Minister of St. Marys Health Center, Capital Region Medical Center, home-bound parishioners, and nursing home residents. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Cathedral Building Fund, 2305 W. Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109; or Boys and Girls Town at St. James, MO 65559. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was employed for thirty seven years as a department manager with Montgomery-Ward Inc., Jefferson City, until his retirement in March of 1983.