Kurt William Ritter

1944 - 2025

Kurt William Ritter

Jun 18, 1944 - Oct 21, 2025

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather Kurt Ritter died peacefully at the Blue Ridge Hospice in Winchester, Virginia on October 21, 2025 with family at his side. He enjoyed a long and rewarding career in higher education, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2009 after 27 years on the faculty of Texas A&M University.

He was born in San Mateo, California in 1944 to Kurt and Betty Ritter and enjoyed a classic 1950's childhood growing up with his two brothers in Campbell, California. The son of a German immigrant father, Kurt's extended family included adopted aunts and uncles from various European countries. As he often noted, it was a household that highly valued education, an international perspective, and a good dinner party.

Kurt earned a B.A. degree in history from Claremont McKenna College. He first met his wife Ellen at a college debate tournament. They married in 1966-and never stopped debating. That same year Kurt completed a M.A. degree in Speech Communication from Indiana University-Bloomington. He then served for four years as an education and training officer in the U.S. Air Force before returning to graduate school at Indiana where he completed his Ph.D. in 1974.

Kurt taught at the University of Illinois-Champaign and the University of Missouri-Columbia prior to joining the faculty at Texas A&M University in 1982. Initially appointed in the English Department, he proposed and marshaled support for a new Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts which was established in 1985. Kurt served as the first department head from 1985-90. In subsequent years he assisted in establishing the Department's M.A. and Ph.D. degree programs as well as changing its name to the Department of Communication. His other administrative roles included basic course director, graduate director, and honors program coordinator. From 2005-2009 Kurt also served as associate director of the University Honors Program.

Gregarious, talkative, and inspired by the power of education, Kurt was above all a teacher. He taught 26 different courses at Texas A&M, including public speaking, American oratory, and the history of American political rhetoric. Kurt was a scholar of political rhetoric, publishing primarily on the history of public address, Ronald Reagan's rhetoric, and political speechwriting. He won awards for his scholarship, but most valued the teaching awards he received, including the Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award in 2004. Throughout his years at Texas A&M Kurt showed a remarkable dedication to the University that was apparent to all who knew him.

After retirement Kurt and Ellen relocated to Northern Virginia to live near their daughter Valerie. He was delighted to become "Gagi" to granddaughter Ella, who brought so much joy to his life. Kurt enjoyed international travel, visiting historic locations in Virginia, family history, and trips to his favorite spot on the Mendocino coast. He remained a steadfast Aggie football and women's basketball fan, following the teams from afar.

In addition to his legacy as an educator, Kurt will be remembered for his outgoing personality, his sincerity, his commitment to acting on principles, and his ability to bring up an historical anecdote relating to almost anything under the sun. Left to remember Kurt are his wife Ellen, daughter Valerie and granddaughter Ella; his brother John Ritter and sister-in-law Susan of Bangkok; his brother Walter and partner Veronica of San Diego; three nephews and their families; friends in Virginia, Texas and California; and his former students. A private family service is planned.