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Stewart Ritchie Obituary

Dr. Stewart Ritchie Founder and CEO of Guckenheimer Enterprises Inc. passed away quickly from Adenocarcinoma of the Liver on May 27th, 2010. Dr. Ritchie grew up in Wichita, Kansas, graduated Cum Laude from Colorado College, received his M.D. degree from Stanford University in 1968 and took what he thought to be a brief detour in parlaying his sandwich business (which financed his medical education) but the 'route' became the 'destination.' Years later, Guckenheimer Enterprises, Inc. is the premier up-scale Contract Food Service Company in the Corporate Dining segment of America...doing $300 million ++ in sales, with 3,000 + employees and feeding around 2,000,000+ people a day. Most of its accounts are in the super-premium quality range. It is the last 'independent' in the entire industry and its 3,000+ employees are all stockholders of the Company. Dr. Ritchie was also a Trustee of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation for many years and a member of the World Presidents' Organization and the Chief Executives Organization. He is married to Jeanie, who will succeed him as CEO in Guckenheimer with Frank V. Lapetina as President and COO. They have one son, C. Stewart Ritchie IV. Arrangements entrusted to Roller Hapgood & Tinney Funeral Home. www.rollerhapgoodtinney.com

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jun. 6, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Stewart Ritchie

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Anne Miner

January 15, 2023

I see that I wrote something more than a decade ago, but was thinking lately Stew so checked this page out again. Seems good to remember aloud once more the good impact he had in such interesting ways.
I knew him in 1962 when we were first year medical students. I remember his productive project of selling
excellent sandwhiches in the courtyard---the only one resourceful enough to do this! Much later he recruited me, as I recall it, to work with a small start up in Palo Alto. I was on leave from med school and as it turned out, never went back. He didn't really know me or have any reason to help connect me to this start up, but he did so and it made a difference in my life in the long run. He just was a builder I think.
Iremember him as generous spirited, smart, and patient. Grateful to have ever known him at all. I send warm wishes to his family. My life story and his only ran in parallel for a short time, but I distinctly remember his warm presence and steady soul, as it seems to me now.

John Thompson

June 6, 2022

I was very sorry to read about Dr. Ritchie's passing! I certainly enjoyed my years with Guckenheimer and my time talking with Dr. Ritchie! God Bless his family and may he RIP!

Elizabeth Lindquist

March 14, 2011

Dr. Ritchie you are very much missed. Your wife jeanne is doing a fantastic job, as you already know. There is not a day that goes by that we are not thinking about you.

Vivienne Elliott

October 24, 2010

Jeannie and Stew,Jr. I just learned of the passing of our much loved Dr. Ritchie. The heartpower of GEI... Many years have passed since I last saw him, but I will never forget the first day I met him. Iconoclast, entrenprenuer, leader, husband, father.
And always core values that have stood me through many years.
with sorrow, I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts

David Armatis

September 19, 2010

Dr. Ritchie was a true gentleman and an example of quality in men. He showed true humility and stature in everything he did. He served as an example to the many he touched in his career at Guckenheimer over 25 years. He loved peppering statements and presentations with quotes from noted authors and was loved by many of his workers, myself included. I will miss his sense of humor, smile and agile mind. Goodbye friend. Jeanie,and Stu Junior, my thoughts and love go out to you.

September 11, 2010

This is a note from a member of the first year class at Stanford Med School, just to say very sad to see this entry. I dropped out after year one, but Stew facilitated my work with a small start up in Palo Alto, which in turn gave me experience that took me eventually down good roads. I remember him as calm, gifted, wise, even back then when we all were trying to figure out what to do next.

Condolences and best wishes to his family. Anne Miner

Allen Weitzel

September 10, 2010

Dear Family,

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Stewart Richie. I met him many years ago when I was working as Food Director at a western amusement park called Frontier Village (www.frontiervillage.net). He was starting his sandwich business to finance his education, and he called on me several times. We did purchase sandwiches, but when pitted against the staples of the amusement park business of burgers and fries, the sandwiches did not sell well enough for us to remain a viable customer for him. We did remain pen pals for a while, then I got busy with my career, and he with his, and we drifted apart. I was a budding poet (aside from my day job) and in exchange for some of my poems, he gave me a book by Winston Churchill – which he autographed for me. I will make it a point to see if I can locate it in my bookshelves, in his memory. As others have said in their comments, he was a true gentleman and showed interest in other people. Though he was always polite and humble, one could see and sense the brilliant intellect that was inside. There is no doubt as to the reason why Guckenheimer Enterprises is such a success that it is. Several years ago I made an attempt to re-connect just to say hello, but I think the roads of communication between our two industries were too massive to make that happen.

When I think of Stewart and I sitting in our little employee lounge at Frontier Village and working out sandwich orders, my mind drifts back to other well-known products/companies that used our park as a testing ground. Nancy Mueller of Nancy’s Quiches worked with us to try her products at the park, as well as Paul Hait, of Aroma Taste, who created Pemmican beef jerky, to name a few. However, it was Stewart who opened my eyes to the concept of working with “start ups,” as we call them today.

What a grand person; everyone wanted to be around him.

I regret we did not reconnect, to allow us to flip through those past times when we were both young bucks, trying to find our way.

My prayers are with the family.

-Allen F. Weitzel, San Jose, California

Graham Casey

August 3, 2010

Jeanie, Connie and I just receive the news of the passing of Dr. Ritchie. We were both shocked and sadden. It has been our pleasure knowing both of you and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
During my career I have worked with many fine people. However, Dr. Ritchie was the ‘class act’. He was elegant and eloquent, yet, he had a genuine way about him. When he met someone, he always made the other person feel they were more important than he was. A true gentleman. Throughout my fourteen years at Guckenheimer I always enjoyed our get together…whether it was a dinner meeting, sales call, client luncheon or presentation. I will never forget his smooth way and professionalism. It left a lasting impression. Our sincerest condolences.

Billy Johnson

July 28, 2010

Dear Jeanie, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I really enjoyed my time with Guckenheimer back in the late 80's early 90's. You and Dr. Richie always appreciated my culinary talents and for that I will always be greatful. I want my old job back
Bill Johnson

Patricia Reyes

July 1, 2010

So very sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Ritchie. Please accept my sincerest condolences. I will share this sad news with my UCLA Colleagues.

Gretchen and Jack Maronde

June 11, 2010

Jeanne,
We are so saddened to learn of Stew's death. I have known Stew since we were kids in Wichita. What a charmer he was and such fun to be with. The last we saw Stew was several years ago during the holiday's. We were having lunch in the Campton Place dinning room. You, Teamie and Stew were there and we had a great visit...

You are in our thoughts and prayers~

June 10, 2010

Jeanie, we met briefly at the recpetion after Teamie's funeral in Wichita several years ago. I knew Stew through the Team family and my wife, Kitchel, grew up with your husband during their "Wichtia years". We are deeply sorry to learn of your great loss and wish to extend our sincere sympathy fo you and your son. We will be thinking about you during the difficult days ahead.

Steve Woods

June 8, 2010

So sorry to read of Stew's death. He obviously became as fine a man as he was in High School. My sympathy & prayers for you Jeanie & your son. May God give you strength during this difficult time. Pat Kahrs Parr.

Joel Friedman MD

June 7, 2010

Jeanne,

I just saw Stew's obituary by chance in Anne Jigger's office and am still stunned by the news of his short illness and passing. Carol and I have always had the highest regard for Stew. I appreciated his trust in me as a cardiologist and though of him as a friend. We will miss him terribly. Carol and I send you and your family our sincerest condolences.

Joel Friedman

Molly Mulloy

June 7, 2010

Jeanie, I'm stunned and saddened to hear about Stew. I have such fun memories of our high school days and of seeing you and Stew in Wichita in later years. I recall a wonderful dinner party at WCC a few years ago with you two and our mothers. Teamie and Sue were quite frail then but spent the evening reminiscing and laughing about old times. Stew was the same as always that night --- charming, kind, and always interested in everyone else. What a fine man he was. You are both in my prayers.

June 7, 2010

Jeanie, so sorry to hear of Stews death, our time in Redwood City with Guckenheimer was most memorable. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your son. Ed and Doris Gray, Jacksonville,, Arkansas

June 7, 2010

Jeanne and Stew:

Susann and I deeply regret the passing of such a wonderful soul. It is a tribute to Stew that so many will mourn his passing.

Stew did many wonderous things in his life. One that I was a part of was the founding of the Charo Fishing Tribe. This occurred almost 30 years ago and the original 4 "braves" has grown to over 50. He will be remembered with a special prayer at this year's annual gathering on the Trinity River.

Our deepest sympathies,

Susann and Bob Burke

June 7, 2010

Jeanne, I am stunned to hear of Stew's death. It seems like it was just a couple of years ago when I had dinner with you and Stew and our moms at Wichita CC when Teamie and Sue were still able to get out. From the time we were children, Stew was always one of the nicest persons I knew and mom was (and is) so fond of both of you. You are in my prayers during this sad time. Molly Mulloy

Tom Darrah

June 7, 2010

Jeanne, my thoughts will be with you. Stewart was my first best friend in Wichita as he lived directly behind us and we had a path between our back yards. Sure wish I had taken him up on his offer to let me invest in the business when he was just starting. I told him it would be impossible to do it at the same time he was in med school. He sure showed me how wrong I can be. As Bob Crumpacker has said we had a great group of friends growing up and we will always have the wonderful memories. Stewart will be missed by many, many people.

Bob Crumpacker

June 6, 2010

Jeanne, I'm so sorry that Stew has passed away. He was one of the original members of our Wichita "gang." We grew up together, attended the same schools and had many good and memorable times together. He was a gifted and special person. Most of my best childhood memories have Stew in them somewhere.

Clinton Moorehead

June 6, 2010

My wife, Mary Lynn and I are saddened by this loss. We both were helped immensely in our careers by the philosophy of Dr. Ritchie. We always admired the brilliant mind and the acceptance of diverse peoples that endeared Dr. Ritchie to so many people over the years.
I recall listening to my dentist, Dr. E. Keith Anderson, telling me about the medical student who was selling sandwiches at Stanford Hospital. Little did I know that we would be proudly working in his organization years later. He gave us a lot to be proud of! This unique man will be missed very much.

Marty Mulloy Moulthrop

June 6, 2010

I was sincerely sorry to hear of Stew's untimely death. I've known him all my life (which is a long time, since we are the same age!). Even as a kid, there was something about him that made all of us idolize him. His wonderful mom, Teamie, was one of my role models. Jeanie, my whole family joins me, especially our mom, Sue Mulloy Gilkeson, in sending you our sincerest sympathies. You are in our prayers.

Tim Steele

June 6, 2010

Stew and Jeanne were definitely trail blazers in their chosen field.
Stew had a brilliant mind, even as a student in Wichita, where we grew up!
He would have made a fantastic doctor, but his calling was "sandwiches"!
While our paths in the Bay Area crossed but infrequently, I am proud to say I knew Dr. Stewart Ritchie for more than 50 years!
We hope that the many who will sign this book will be of comfort to the family!!

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