Death date: Mar 6, 2010
Harvey L. Ritchie 78 passed away March 6, 2010. Beloved husband of Martha. Loving father of Jeanne Sur (Biswajit), Michele Reidy (Michael) and Martha Stevens (Ted). Brother of William (Dorothy). Grandfather of Anthony (Amy), Jane Read Obituary
To Martha and Family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences at this very difficult time. Like Jerry Peppers, I had the privilege of learning many lessons from Harvey without even realizing it was happening at the time. His unquenchable spirit and work ethic permeated all who were priveleged to be around him.##imported-begin##Jim Johnston##imported-end##
9 March 2010
To: Martha
And To Jeanne, Michele and Michael, Martha and Jane, all of whom I have met and remember, as well as to anyone who may read this that I have not:
I wish you all my sincere and heartfelt condolences on Harvey's passing. I know that no matter the circumstances, the death of a spouse, family member or good friend is never timely.
I just heard today of Harvey's passing an hour or so ago and cannot rearrange my schedule to attend the visitation or the funeral mass tomorrow. But it is not because I would think twice about driving overnight to get there, attending and then driving 7 hours (Harvey could do it in 6!) overnight again to return home and go to work. Harvey would do it regularly and, after all, I learned from him.
I note that Harvey died on what was the 174th anniversary of Texas Independence Day. That is the day on which a small but indomitable group of otherwise untrained volunteers who had taken up guns to defend the Alamo, had defied all odds by standing off charge after charge from a mighty and well equipped army of Mexican regulars under General Santa Ana that by various reports outnumbered them by between 10 and 15 to one, had inflicted casualties on the enemy of an estimated six to seven times their own number, finally succumbed. We all know that story but I note it because it reminds me of Harvey's strength and character; he simply never believed there were limits to what he could accomplish. Like General Travis he finally succumbed. But like Travis who in his stand ignited a conflagration that not only led to Texas' independence but finally to Mexico ceding to the United States all of what we today call the southwest and California, including one of the largest goldfields the world has ever known, Harvey will live on in so many of us as a source of the relentless determination that drives us today.
H. Ritchie & Co., where I started part time in 1961, was my first real job. Indeed, other than a few summer jobs during college, I am currently in only my second. During the years I worked at the stand before I left to go to college, I worked with many colleagues, "Ritchie Boys", if you will. Because of Harvey's sheer force of personality, the number of hours we worked together and probably the kind of people who were attracted to work with Harvey, we bonded as close as any 'Band of Brothers". Even though it has been more than 45 years since I worked at the stand, and despite the miles, names like George Braddock, Jimmy Johnson, Rick Fragnoli, Eddie Hugney and others are still people I know and could pick up with right away if we were together again.
A long time has passed since I last worked at the New Central Market. I have gone on to become a partner at a large Wall Street law firm in Manhattan and have had an opportunity to work on many national and cross-border corporate transactions. But I still carry with me the principles I learned on Bolivar Road. Work hard and don't ever be afraid to attempt something just because you think you will fail. Just do it, and something, often untended, good will come of it. The first time Harvey sent me to make a delivery in the blue Econoline truck, I went to it, determined that it had a manual transmission that I could not drive and returned to tell Harvey that I could not drive a stick shift. He asked me if my driver's license had an "A" on it (for automatic, which, of course, driver's licenses do not) and upon being told no, he simply explained briefly how a manual transmission works and sent me back to make the delivery. To the credit of the ruggedness of Ford clutches, transmissions, universal joints, drive shafts, differentials and axles, I learned on that day to drive a manual transmission. To this day I explain to a young associate how to do something and send them of, baffled at first I am sure, to try it. And a whole lot of young people have learned in that manner here over the years not realizing they were learning in part from Harvey. Indeed, I still drive a manual transmission car(s) and I taught my wife and all fou
Our thoughts and prayers for Harvey's family during this time of loss and celebration of a life.##imported-begin##Michael Munichiello##imported-end##
Dearest Martha, Jeanne, Shelly and Marty - I am so sad to learn of Big Harv's passing - he was one of a kind. His kindness and generosity made a huge impact on my life and I remember him with great affection and love. My thoughts are with you today - remember all the good times and how many lives he touched in such a beautiful way. Love, Jane R##imported-begin##Jane Rost##imported-end##
Dear Jeanie ,Shelly,and Marti I 'm sorry for the loss of your Dad.
I remember working with you all at the east side market. Your Dad was a great guy. You all are a part of some of my wonderful memory Thank You##imported-begin##Rose Meyer /Fryburg##imported-end##
May the happy memories you have of Harvey, keep him forever in your hearts.##imported-begin##Doug & Shirley Bedford##imported-end##
I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember the times George and I had with Harvey at Richies Pub and how good he was to us.##imported-begin##Johanna Lance##imported-end##
