RAYMOND RITCHIE

Raymond Thomas Ritchie, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born July 21, 1917, in Hoosick Falls, N.Y., son of Harold Nichols and Mabel Kline Ritchie. He and Evelyn Hanson were married Jan. 20, 1947, in Hartford, Conn.

Ritchie grew up in Vermont. While in the U.S. Army, he served in Europe, Africa and France. After his discharge, he went to Junior College of Physical Therapy in New Haven, Conn. He did his internship at Jewish Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.

He moved to Cape Girardeau in 1949, and was a physical therapist at St. Francis Medical Center until retiring in August 1987.

Ritchie was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, member and past master of Harold O. Grauel Masonic Lodge AF&AM, Scottish Rite in St. Louis, and Cape Shrine Club. He had been a lay minister and Sunday School teacher, was active in Boy Scout programs, was a troop leader with the former Rotary troop and helped with Grace Methodist Troop 2. He was a past president of Franklin School PTA. He was a community speaker for St. Francis Medical Center.

Survivors include his wife; two sons and daughters-in-law, Peter and Lona Ritchie of Jackson, Mo., John Thomas and Lynn Ritchie of Sultan, Wash.; and a grandson, Christian Ray Ritchie of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 4-8 p.m. today. The Scottish Rite Rose Croix service will be at 6:45, followed by a Masonic service at 7.

Funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the chapel. The Rev. Jerry Statler will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Gardner, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children or St. Francis Medical Center Foundation.