John Duncan Ritchie

I was one of the 9 students he sponsored to Yankton College back in the 1970's, and he did not stop there. Through his many contacts he introduced me to Standard Insurance Co. which was the beginning of a 45 year career in the insurance business. Although I did not see him often over the years, we did stay in touch. When I ran for office recently he once again was there for me, introducing me to anyone he thought could help with my campaign. He was always supportive and a friend for life.

John and my brother Jim Hartman were best friends in high school at Hudson's Bay. John was like a brother to me. He'd come by and pick me up in his 47 Chevy fastback And I would hold a stopwatch while he ran quarter miles out in Mill plain. My family loved him, and he'd just walk in and make himself at home, check out what was in the fridge. He was part of the family. He used to hang out with some members of the Slowpokes car club, And I suspect his wife was Mike Grimm's sister,...

I remember John laying a patch of rubber in his Dad's Buick for over a mile. He was a great fun-loving guy that us kids in the neighborhood looked up too.

John was one of the first members of the board to welcome me to the first board meeting for the Barriger Library. He sized up how tense I was and immediately put me at ease. He was generous with his time and resources for the library and I enjoyed his enthusiasm and friendship. His smile was infectious and he was an astute railroad historian and enthusiast. I'm going to miss seeing him and talking with him on the phone. He truly was "good people."