Chase Anthony Vane Ditter

Chase Anthony Vane Ditter

Chase Anthony Vane Ditter, beloved son of Cory and Cheryl (Ruffner) Ditter and brother of Nathan and Jackson Ditter, had his life tragically taken on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Chase was only 17 years old and looked forward to graduating from Columbus High School this May.

Chase was an extremely intelligent and accomplished student who was in the top ten percent of his graduating class. He had been accepted into the Honors College at UNL with a Chancellor's Tuition Scholarship. However, Chase was also accepted into the accelerated Cybersecurity master's program at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in New York where he planned to attend in the Fall.

Chase was actively involved in the Columbus Public Schools Robotics program for many years, having served as his Team's Programmer. He also served as an Officer in the Skills USA program. Chase was honored to have been selected by his teachers to represent Columbus High in multiple math competitions earning top placement for the school. As a Senior, Chase was particularly excited about his Mechatronics class with his favorite teacher, Mr. Whitmore.

In his spare time, Chase was happy to serve the Columbus community as a "Volunteen" for Columbus Hospital and as a volunteer with Camp Invention each summer. He also enjoyed helping his fellow classmates through participation as a Tutor in the Columbus High Tutoring Program with a focus on STEM subjects. Chase grew and recently cut his beautiful red hair for donation.

Chase was highly motivated. He began working at the age of fifteen, beginning with a job at Arbys and recently enjoyed working with his Dad and his Uncle Darin at DiStar. He also had an interest in flying and had logged many flight training hours, beginning at the age of fifteen with aspirations of obtaining his pilot's license.

Since the Pandemic, Chase had struggled with depression, but was actively working with health care professionals to address this health concern. He had recently begun to experience and express joy and was very much looking forward to his future.

Chase enjoyed a number of favoritethings, including Duster's Beer Cheese Soup; Rootbeer; Lemonade (no ice); pineapple; Arby's; spending one-on-one time with his Dad; making meatballs and binge watching "Lost in Space" with his Mom; teasing his brothers; beating his family at cards; his animals, especially his favorite cat, Shadow. He also enjoyed and found comfort in listening to classic rock in which Queen was his favorite.

Chase had gotten the "travel bug", having traveled to Boston, Rochester, Niagara Falls, Branson, Cincinnati and Cleveland this past year--he encouraged his family to obtain passports this year for extended international travel. He was looking forward to spending spring break with his family in Florida in March and was hoping to convince his parents to book a 15-day Great Lakes and Canada cruise before starting college.

Family was very important to Chase. He had a special bond with his Grammy and always looked forward to, and made a priority of, spending Friday evenings with her and his Aunt Shelby. His Father, Cory was vigilant in his protection of Chase, keeping him safe by his side. Chase enjoyed playing cards and games with his Mom and brothers. He always enjoyed and looked forward to having his East Coast relatives come to Nebraska for their annual 4th of July festivities, and was particularly fond of his cousin, Drew. Chase was the family expert on all things related to technology.

Chase was preceded in death by his paternal great-grandparents, Anthony "Bud" and Zathea Hilger and Robert and Viola Schmid, his paternal grandfather, David Schmid, and his maternal grandparents, Larry and Yvonne ("Butchie") Ruffner.

Chase is survived by his parents, his twin brothers, his grandmother (Grammy) Sheila Hilger, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and a tight knit friend group.

The family is devastated by his tragic loss and appreciates the support of their entire family, friends, colleagues, and greater Columbus community as they mourn the loss of their dear son and brother.

Graveside services are 10:00 am Tuesday, February 13 at Columbus Cemetery. Visitation is on Monday from 4-8 pm at McKown Funeral Home

In lieu of plants and flowers, the family recommends donations in Chase's name to any of the following organizations that were important to Chase: Platte County Historical Society, Camp Invention of Columbus, or Paws and Claws of Columbus.

www.mckownfuneralhome.com