James RITCHIE

DR. JAMES CUNNINGHAM RITCHIE July 20, 1929 - October 3, 2018 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. James Cunningham Ritchie on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in Goderich, Ontario surrounded by family. Dr. Ritchie was predeceased by father, Alfred; mother, Mary; sister, Margaret; and wife, June. He leaves behind three children, Ian (Claudia), Grant (Donna), and Joyce (Rudie); as well as three grandchildren, Derek (Anita), Jennifer (Trevor), and Logan (Renée). Professor Ritchie was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1929 and was educated at the University of Aberdeen. He received his Doctorate in Botany from the University of Sheffield in 1955. In 1954, he immigrated to Canada to pursue postdoctoral work at the Jardin Botanique de Montréal and the University of Manitoba where he was subsequently given his first academic posting.His fieldwork saw him immersed in boreal ecology; literally, as his canoe broke up in the Caribou River and he was marooned in the Arctic with graduate student, Gordon Johnston, for four weeks prior to being rescued. Indeed, Professor Ritchie's career was marked by high adventure and research in a multitude of locations including the Soviet Union, Sahara Desert, New Guinea, Australia, and, most predominantly, the Canadian Arctic. Following his time at Manitoba, Professor Ritchie moved to Professorships at Trent University, Dalhousie University, and, finally, at the University of Toronto. It was here, in 1999, that he was awarded the W.A. Johnston Medal of Honour in recognition of his extraordinary career in Quaternary Research. He was the first Canadian paleoecologist to receive the Honour. In retirement, Professor Ritchie and June moved to Somerset County in England where they shared a life of leisure, hill walking, and travel with family and close friends. They enjoyed many vacations back in Canada to visit family and former colleagues, of particular fondness was rising early to help Joyce with chores on the farm and walking the dogs. In light of his passing, family and friends lose a great father, a wonderful friend, and a giant of the scientific community. However, it is certain Professor Ritchie lived a life full of adventure and laughter and left all those who knew him better off.