Leroy Scherburne Ritchie Was born on 23 Dec 1920 in Des Moines, Iowa, the eldest of the three sons of Walter and Josephine Ritchie. The Ritchie family soon moved to Washington State, first to Auburn, then to Tacoma. Leroy graduated from Stadium High School in 1939. He served in the
U.S. Navy in
World War II as a Radioman 2nd Class on the U.S.S. Pollux. After the war he returned to Tacoma, and began a career as a land surveyor, first with the St. Paul Timber Company and eventually with Pierce County, from which he finally retired in 1990. He married Amy Grout in 1950. They adopted Neil and Wanda in 1959, and have three grandchildren, Aaron, Maria-Lynn, and Tenalyn. Amy predeceased him in 1994. In 1995 he married June, and has a large extended family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Leroy was an active hiker, climber, and skier, and was a longtime member of the Tacoma Mountaineers. He summited all six of the Major Peaks in Washington as well as all 24 "Cabin Peaks." He led a "First Ascent" of Mt. Rainier via the Nisqually Icefall. He also served on the Mountain Rescue and Ski Patrol. Leroy was active in the Boy Scouts of America, becoming a Life Scout in his youth. As an adult, he was the Scoutmaster or on the Troop Committee of Troop 3 for over 4 decades. In 1975 he was awarded the Silver Beaver for his many years of dedicated service to Scouting. Among his other achievements (which he would have never mentioned) was donating over 30 gallons of blood. Leroy was an active member of 6th Avenue Baptist Church for many years, serving in a wide variety of capacities during that time until the church closed its doors. In his later years he remained active, continuing to hike, ski, golf, and travel, as well as supporting various charitable organizations including Habitat For Humanity, as well as other groups and causes. Leroy passed away on 29 Dec 2016 in Everett, WA after a brief illness. He is survived by his brother Russell Ritchie, his son, daughter, and grandchildren as well as his 2nd wife June and extended family. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, 22 Jan 2017, at 1400 hours (2PM) at Grace Baptist Church, 2507 N Vassault Street, Tacoma, WA 98405. Donations in his name may be made to Habitat For Humanity in lieu of flowers.
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