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Mack Ritchie Obituary
Mr. Ritchie, who served as Palm Beach's mayor from 1979 to 1982, after years on the town council, died Monday at the age of 82.
Yvelyne "Deedy" Marix remembers him as "perhaps the best friend I ever had." They served on the council together and when she lost her bid for mayor, Marix recalls a long talk with Mr. Ritchie.
"He didn't want me to go through that hullabaloo again... so he said he'd run," and he did, Marix said. And when he stepped down, she was ready to try again - this time she won.
While he was in office, Mr. Ritchie, a licensed civil engineer, put his skills to work renovating the town's sewer system. The work put a stop to the regular fooding of Worth Avenue and other areas of the island, Marix recalled.
"He was one of those mayors who would listen to the citizens of Worth Avenue," added Ed Kassatly, whose Kassatly's is the oldest store on the avenue.
In 1989, Mr. Ritchie left Palm Beach and headed for his birthplace of Litchfield, Ill. But before departing, he donated his collection of architectural drawings from Palm Beach architects Addison Mizner, Treanor & Fatio, and Byron Simonson to the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.
He said Simonson had given him the original designs in the 1950s. The collection, kept in 34 large tubes, included drawings of some of the town's most-known homes and buildings, such as the John S. Phipps estate and the Everglades Club.
Ritchi said he felt strongly that the collection belonged in Palm Beach County and its residents.
Mr. Ritchie also has been credited with restructuring the local police department and setting up the town's capital improvement plan.
Mr. Ritchie, who later split his time between Litchfield and Inverness, Fla., is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Anne Ritchie, two grown and married sons, five grandchildren and two great-grand children.
Heinz Funeral Home of Inverness is in charge of arrangements.
Memories and Condolences
for Mack Ritchie
7 Entries
charles candler sadler
May 5, 2024
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Elizabeth Appleby
May 5, 2017
Mac was very kind to me. A wonderful man.
Mimi Gerstell
November 25, 2016
Happened to be in Palm Beach today for the first time in many years. Remembered the hilarious science museum trip of 1974, wherein my then-husband (David Washburn) and I led a dozen "old" Palm Beach people around the ruins of Yucatan. Mack was the chief wry commentator among the "old" people (he must have been all of 49?). Enjoyed Pat and Tommy too. I did know that Mack had become the mayor of PB not long after. Deedee Marix, that's a name I remember his often mentioning. Hi Tom wherever you are!
Alice Gassaway
March 15, 2008
Pat and family,
Thinking of you at this difficult time. My love and sympathy. What wonderful memories to cherish. I know Mack and Owen are in God's Aviation World together.
Fondly,
Alice Gassaway
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John George
March 14, 2008
Dear Pat and family,There is a bridge of memories from earth,to heaven above,it keeps our dear ones near us,its the bridge that we call love,it takes us back to brighter years,to happier sunlit days,and to precious golden moments,that will be with us always,We always remember the wonderful days we spent painting together in Lake Worth.Love John and Ellen George
John Yeend P.E.
March 13, 2008
I met Mack in the mid 80s. He and I were expert witnesses for co- defendants regarding a coastal issue. We spent many hours waiting in the hall of the old PB County Courthouse. Mack seemed obligated to entertain me with old engineering war stories. When he discovered I was with Gee & Jenson Engineers, he reminisced about a case he was an expert in back in the 50s, in Federal Court, where he was pitted against Colonel Gee, one of the co-founders of G&J. He said that the Colonel testified that Mack was still in diapers when the Colonel was designing coastal systems. After sensing my uneasiness, Mack added, "Gee was right.....but he didn't need to put it in the record in Federal Court."
Following the trial, Mack returned to retirement up north and I lost touch with him. I remember how sincere and candid he was and that he had a wonderful sense of humor. Thanks for the memories Mack and I'll think of you when you cross the bar.
Nathaniel Reed
March 13, 2008
March 13, 2008
Dear Mrs. Ritchie,
As you know Mack was a trusted member of the “Reed Extended family”. He served as the engineer of the Hobe Sound Company for many, many years. His advice was always sound and acceptable, he never cut corners. He always gave us the best technical advice which we took and now rejoice on his expertise.
We developed a firm friendship, one that I valued.
When he ran for office and was elected Mayor of Palm Beach I was still deeply involved in major water pollution issues in Palm Beach County as a member of the board of the South Florida Water Management District. Mack was a man of action and he insisted that Palm Beach clean up its sewage problems and protect Lake Worth from excessive urban runoff. We always met with friendship and with the best motives.
I hope these last years in Litchfield were comfortable and healthy.
We miss him in south Florida!
Mack Ritchie was a wonderful man who was a contributor to a better Florida.
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