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Gary Ritari Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
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Ronald Ottoson
March 7, 2019
Dear Ritari Family:
I had the honor of working with Gary at the 4th Precinct. With his partner Roger Wepplo we had many enjoyable conversations.
Gary recognized the importance of computers before the rest of us even had one or understood them.
He was a gentleman to everyone but was capable of being physically imposing when necessary. He was a mixture of courage and intelligence.
It was shocking when he left us so early. I wish he could have enjoyed many years of retirement.
The City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department should be grateful for his years of service.
Sincerely,
Ron Ottoson
Michele Hagen
May 17, 2011
Betty and family,
Words cannot express how sad I am at the sudden way Gary passed on from this world. I'm thankful now for the many years of wonderful memories I have of Gary, of you and the family.
Gary had the unique gift of protecting and serving others. I never realized until recently how much this was part of his character, not just his job description.
My lifelong friendship with Tammy (his oldest) gave us many years to test his resolve. But he always gave us 'enough rope'. And never checked too closely under the saddle.
Years later, when Tam and I lived together in Minneapolis, he would stop by (frequently) in the squad car (did I say frequently?) to check on a couple of silly twenty year olds.
Tam used to tell me, "my dad says 'if there's ever any trouble, come to the farm.' And I would have, too.
Gary, you were a big man, yet you hovered so lightly over so many. That was your gift. To serve and protect. You'll be missed...
Donations for the Honor Guard may be sent to the Honor Guard Commander, Lt William Whisney at
1911 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418-4529.
Please make checks out to "Minneapolis Safe Zone" with a notation in the Memo Section indicating that it's for the Honor Guard.
May 17, 2011
Betty and family,
Words cannot express how sad I am at the sudden way Gary passed on from this world. I'm thankful now for the many wonderful memories I have of Gary
Nancy Larkey
May 16, 2011
Betty and Family,
As a former co-worker of Gary's, I know how much you'll miss him. He was full of joy and fun. His unfailing good humor made my job easier. My condolences. Hopefully you will be able to quickly move from the shock you are probably experiencing to an understanding of the beautiful person he was. Yet, I believe he will always be with you in spirit.
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May 16, 2011
Rest in peace my friend.
Bonnie Moyer
May 16, 2011
Betty and Family,
I am sorry for your loss. Gary was a classmate of mine in Verndale. We were confirmed together. I have nothing but good thoughts when I think back on Gary. You married a good guy. You have my sympathy.
Donna Christensen
May 16, 2011
Ritari Family,
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you at this time of sorrow. I had the pleasure of getting to know Gary while working the Republican National Convention. After that I only had a few contacts with him, but each contact was a pleasure. There are many things I could say about Gary, but to cut to the chase and put it simply, "I guess when the Lord wants another angel, he sure knows how to pick them"
Rest in peace Gary
Lauri Vaillancourt
May 16, 2011
My prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. God Bless you all.
Hans Halvorson
May 15, 2011
Ritari Family,
May God bless you in your time of sorrow. Gary was a wonderful person and he will truly be missed.
John Broghammer
May 15, 2011
Gary was a client of mine for the last several years while in his role at the City. Not only a client, but a good friend. Gary had an exceptional ability to see the strenghts in people and capitalized on what they do best. He shared countless stories with me about his family and provided good advice (and sometimes encouragement!) as I start a family of my own.
My sympathies go out to family and friends. He'll be deeply missed...
May 15, 2011
My deepest condolences to the Ritari family. I have worked with Gary in one way or another for nearly 30 years. I remember him as a street officer always helping out the dispatchers by taking calls that were pending or playing pranks on his partners. When he retired from the street it was our loss at Minneapolis 911 but he still remained in contact whether he worked for the County or the State. I was in awe by his knowledge yet he never boasted or made you feel less important. He was a forward thinker always coming up with ideas of how to make things better or make a difference. His soft spoken voice always had words of wisdom and made one think beyond their own imaginary walls. He was a brilliant man I will always remember him as a Gentle Giant. He always had a smile for you when you crossed paths either in the court house or in the tunnels. I for one will miss his cheery hello's and his great smile. Rest in Peace Gary you may have left us physically but your footprints remain and they are mighty big prints to fill.
Sue Fallon-Bonnick
Minneapolis 911 Senior Supervisor
Patrick Kiely
May 15, 2011
Ritari Family,
I worked with Gary on the Northside...he was one of the nicest guys to learn the "streets" when I was a rookie...he was a good teacher, calm....easy going and a great sense of humor,,,he'll be greatly missed...
Joanne Hanley
May 15, 2011
Gary was a delightful, open and charismatic man who was very easy to like. He was also a generous and helpful neighbor. I am grateful to have known him. My deepest sympathy to you, Betty, and your daughters and son.
Kathy Simmons
May 15, 2011
Betty and Family - Even though Gary was my brother-in-law, I was always in awe of him. His very presence made things just a little better, regardless of where you were. Gary was bigger than life. There are many wonderful stories and memories. A ton of laughs. My parents, husband and daughters all adored Gary. Gary had a way of making everything all right. You felt safe being with Gary, in every way imaginable. Knowing Gary has now joined my parents, my daughter, Karla, and granddaughter, Zya, I feel immeasurably comforted knowing he has made Heaven just a little better for them.
Judy Harig
May 15, 2011
I wish to send my deep condolences to the Ritari family on the passing of this wonderful man. I worked with Gary in the Minneapolis Police Department’s computer unit from 1994 until two years ago when I moved to South Dakota. From the beginning, Gary was kind and warm towards me and was always supportive and encouraging of my efforts. He inspired all of us in those early days of the unit and the technology we were working to bring to the department. Gary’s talents and abilities always amazed me. Not only was he highly intelligent and an excellent police officer, but he was accomplished at computer technology, business management, entrepreneurship, bringing people together as a team and was a successful farmer on top of that! Even with all of those successes, Gary remained a modest, decent and caring man who always remembered other people and the Police Dept. first. “Well done, good and faithful servant” can surely be said of Gary. I will always remember Gary with great affection and value the years I was able to spend with him.
May 14, 2011
Betty and family,
I never actually met Gary, but worked many years at BI with you, Betty. We had many good conversations. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that you will find comfort in knowing that many people's thoughts and prayers are with you now.
Mary Johnson
BI
Brad Schrunk
May 14, 2011
Betty and Family,
There are no words to describe how Gary affected me. I always felt myself a better man for knowing him. Gary is directly responsible for my career and where I am today. I am just one of the many. He was very professional with lots of personality.
He was big and gentle man who knew what he wanted to accomplish and at the time there were many who didn’t think he could do what he did. He changed the face of computing at the Minneapolis Police Department.
Gary looked at things through the eyes of other and how his actions would affect them. He was a selfless man who accomplished great things with his insight, intelligence, drive and caring of others. I can honestly say, I haven’t known anyone like him.
I will miss him as a friend and a mentor.
Brad Schrunk
Shoreview, MN
May 14, 2011
Betty and family, Our heartfelt sorrow and sympathy goes out to you Betty and the whole Ritari family over your loss. There are words that you should never have to say to a very good friend. This all started out many years ago when three guys met with 52 other police officers. One wise guy (me), one thinker (Gary) and one cautious guy (Jim). We went to school each day, played cards at lunch and became best of friends. One day I saw Gary with this Lady that I went to high school with. Later they were married and Gary asked me to be his best man. What a honor, but of course I had to mess that up by not getting his tux---so I was the only one in a tux and most of the people there thought I was the groom. We went out to our first duty station, with Gary and I going to the Northside and Jim going to the Eastside. We all remaind close friends and Jim was finally transferred over to the Northside. Gary and I along with Jack Kulseth worked one squad. The three of us caused more trouble then we solved. Jack got promoted and Jim joined the squad. We became a very close group both at work and outside of work. Our wives joined us and had many after work get togethers. There has been many great memories between the three of us. We are so proud to say that we knew Gary and could call Gary our friend.
Rick and Jean Nelson
Carl Holmgren
May 14, 2011
Ritari Family,
I worked with Gary when we computerized the MPD Records System. I remember a smart guy who enjoyed his family, life and the MPD. Condolences to family and friends; gone but not forgotten.
Leigh Ann & Jerry Larson
May 14, 2011
Betty and Family,
Gary was such a special person, his smile and sense of humor will be missed by everyone he came in contact with. Our thoughts and prayers are with as you mourn his loss.
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