Mr. M. Robert Ritchie Jr.

1913 - 2013

M. Robert Ritchie, Jr., 100, of Frederick, died on Monday, August 5 at Homewood at Crumland Farms. He was the husband of Harriette Benchoff Ritchie. Born on April 27, 1913 in downtown Frederick, he was the son of the late Martin R. Ritchie and Clara A. (Wantz) Ritchie.

A Navy veteran, Ritchie came from humble beginnings. His mother and father worked, and he helped support his family as a young boy. He started out selling newspapers for 2 cents. After graduating from Frederick High School, he began selling insurance and eventually formed Ritchie Associates Insurance Co.

A life of entrepreneurship ensued, and the builder of Holly Hills Country Club in Ijamsville, who celebrated his 100th birthday in April, was described by a friend and colleague as "the last of Frederick's business titans."

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Ann White and her husband Cecil, Jane Daus and her husband Gerald and Susan LaBrush; grand-children David Hood and his wife Pamela, John Daus, Eric Sornson and his wife Tonya, Garnet Sofillas and her husband John, Lee Sornson and his wife Cheryl, Gray Daus and his wife Jennifer, Chris Waters and Taylor Waters as well as great-grand-children James Sornson, Jocelyn Sornson, Brandon Daus, Levi Sornson, Blake Daus, Carter Daus, Sadie Daus, Jack Sofillas, Aidan Sofillas, Dylyn Daus and Tryston Daus. Mr. Ritchie is preceded in death by a brother Charles Ritchie and a sister Helen Ridgely.

Mr. Ritchie will be remembered as a strong pillar of the Frederick Community.