RITTER, Gordon L.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Friday, March 13, 2015 Dr. Gordon L. Ritter, age 74, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2015, at Mayo Hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by his family and wrapped in their love. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2015, at St. Catherine LaBoure' Roman Catholic Church, 2062 Highway 89, Chino Valley, Arizona. Born Oct. 19, 1940, to the late George and Lucille Ritter of Waverly, Illinois, Dr. Ritter graduated from Waverly High School in 1958. He went on to earn his B.S. Degree in Education at Eastern Illinois University, then his Pharmacy degree at St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1967. Dr. Ritter graduated from Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri, with his D.O. Degree in 1971. In 1972, Dr. Ritter had the opportunity to be the first to bring health care services to the Bullhead City area. Over the years, Dr. Ritter successfully built the practice into a full-service medical facility with the cooperation of selected Las Vegas and Phoenix based providers willing to come to the patient. As a driving force for health care in Bullhead City, Dr. Ritter brought healing, comfort, and health to the entire community. In 1996, Dr. Ritter moved to Prescott and started his practice at Love Field, providing Aero Medical Certifications to pilots as Senior Medical Examiner/Flight Surgeon for Northern Arizona. His experience and expertise helped many pilots, from the professional to the recreational, smoothly and effectively fulfill their medical certification requirements. As president and CEO of Rittaire, LLC. Dr. Ritter took a small facility consisting of one hanger and an office building and built it into a major facility at Prescott Airport boasting over 55,000 square feet of hanger space. His generosity and leadership touched countless lives through scholarships at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Mohave Community College, as well as through his mentorship and guidance to anyone who sought his counsel. Dr. Ritter was a member of the Arizona Osteopathic Association, American Osteopathic Association, Arizona Medical Association, American Medical Association, Yavapai County Medical Association, Civil Aviation Medical Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and a Board member of The Legacy Foundation. Dr. Ritter is survived by his wife, Celia Ritter; sons Garth of Prescott, Arizona, Gregory of Sandy, Utah and Garren (Audra) of Schertz, Texas; his grandchildren Georgia, Garret and Grant also of Schertz, Texas; and his brother Gary (Judy) of Prescott, Arizona. Dr. Ritter touched so many lives and will be missed by all those who had the good fortune to know him. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory would be preferred and may be made to: The Gordon L. Ritter, D.O./Embry-Riddle Scholarship fund, c/o Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 3700 Willow Creek Road Prescott, AZ 86301, or The Mohave Community College Nurse's Endowment Fund, 1971 Jagerson Ave., Kingman, AZ 86409. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Hampton Funeral Home of Prescott. To offer online condolences go to, www.hamptonfuneralhome.com. Information provided by survivors.