Dr. Raymond Ritter Jr.

Dr. Raymond A. Ritter Jr. died peacefully Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at home, with his loving wife and family at his side.

He was born July 28, 1937, at Saint Francis Hospital to Dr. Raymond A. and Helen H. Ritter Sr.

He graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1955, Washington University in 1958 pro meritis and Washington University School of Medicine cum laude in 1962 (Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha). He completed internship and residency in orthopaedic surgery at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis in 1967.

He served in the U.S. 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 present in the local 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 replacement 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, and 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, Dr. R. August (Laura) Ritter III, Dr. John L. (Karlyle) Ritter and Brian (Angie) Ritter; 10 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 and 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, Dr. Raymond A. and Helen H. Ritter Sr.; son, Dr. John L. Ritter; 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 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 from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Ellen Gurnon officiating. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family asks donors support and give to First Presbyterian Church, Saint Francis Medical Center Hospice or the charity or church of choice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.