Richard Alan "Rick" Ritt

Richard Alan "Rick" Ritt

Palm Springs - Richard Alan "Rick" Ritt, of Palm Springs, CA, formerly of San Francisco, Pompano Beach, FL, and No. White Plains, NY, beloved husband of the late Ron Smith, passed unexpectedly on Friday, April 3, 2020. He was 68 years young.

The devoted son of the late Milton and Ann Ritt, Rick was a proud graduate of American University and Valhalla High School (Class of '70). He cherished his memories of growing up in Edgebrook and stayed connected across miles and years with many college and childhood friends.

An accountant by profession and passionate about sports, Rick defied gay stereotypes. A founding member of the National Gay Soft Ball Alliance and its treasurer for 10 years, he was elected to the Gay Softball Hall of Fame in 1998. Lacking fashion sense due to missing "the class," he was most comfortable in blue jeans and a t-shirt.

Devoted to family and friends, Rick's happiest years occurred after his marriage to the late Ron Smith in 2008. The couple loved to travel, dine out, go to the theater and concerts, and partake in a myriad of activities. Alternating their time between their San Francisco townhouse and their Palm Springs getaway, they frequently entertained crowds of guests in their home using Ron's curated collection of crystal stemware and fine china, and presenting an array of delicious food and drinks.

After Ron's unexpected passing from sepsis, Rick moved forward with his life with support from his close friends and community, but he never got over his grief. He frequently expressed his desire to be reunited with his husband.

Rick's family would like to thank the hundreds of friends and colleagues - too many to name - who have shown love and concern for Rick. We especially want to thank those who put aside concerns for personal safety about Covid-19 after Rick's passing from a heart attack, including Lewis Kerman and the Rev. Dr. Clark Trafton and Timothy Lynn and Gary Sullivan.

Rick is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jay M. Ritt, MD, and Melody Howard Ritt; his grandnieces and nephews and their families: Leigh and Scott Farber and their children, Jenna, Maya and Nathan; and Samantha and Derek Johnston and their daughters, Ariane and Sloane, and many beloved cousins.

Rick and Ron's ashes will be interred at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, MA, at a future time. Donations in Rick's memory may be made to the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (nagaaasoftball.org) or the Family-to-Family Fund at Temple Sinai of Sharon, 25 Canton St., Sharon, 02067, helping families suffering from financial hardship as a result of the Corona pandemic.