Dr. Melvin Lee Ritter
“Witty… swing man… college bound.” So reads the Fort Hill High School yearbook about Dr. Melvin Lee Ritter, 81, who passed away November 22, 2018 in Houston, TX. Dr. Ritter was a forty-seven year resident of Pearland, TX. Born and raised in Cumberland, MD, he received an undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland and a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Houston in 1969, where he met his wife Carol Kennedy. He worked at NASA during the Apollo years and later at the United States Environmental Protection Agency for forty two years.
Melvin is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Leila (Shriver) Ritter and brother, Jack Ritter.
Dr. Ritter is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Carol Anne Ritter and his six children and their spouses; daughters: Rebecca and David Presas, Rachel and Karl Schmidt, Dr. Ruth Ritter and Scott Young, and Dr. Deborah Ritter and Dr. Kevin Vander Schel; sons: David Ritter and Dr. Rommana Aziz, and Daniel and Yollie Ritter. He has eighteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5pm to 8pm with a rosary to begin at 6pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at Crowder Funeral Home in Pearland. Mass will be at 10 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at St. Helen Catholic Church. Burial to follow at South Park Cemetery.
Dr. Ritter loved science and music! Memorials can be sent to the University of Houston “Chemistry Excellence Fund” or to The Houston Grand Opera.
You will be missed. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of classical music. I have many good memories of our work together, sharing frustrations and accomplishments.
My deepest sympathy to the Ritter family. My heart goes out to you as you mourn Melvin. During times of distress our heavenly Father lovingly assures us that he “is close to the brokenhearted.” (Ps. 34:18) May the God of all comfort be with you at this difficult time.(2 Cor. 1:3, 4)
Dr Ritter will be missed along these EPA halls, sending my deepest sympathy to the Ritter Family
To the Mel Ritter family. I am greatly saddened by the news of Mel passing. I considered him a good friend and colleague. Mel was one of the best project officers at EPA. My prayers are for your comfort and peace during this time.
Thinking of you, wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, comfort in the midst of pain. Dr. Ritter will be in our hearts and memories.
I enjoyed my time working with Dr. Ritter at the lab.
I will never forget the good ol’ days when I came to work as a contractor and we had offices deep in the back of what seemed like an old out of date plaza. The EPA eventually built a new building over on Fallstone where I joined the EPA and continued my job of taking care of the computer equipment, including the one Mel fought with at his desk. It was a pleasure coming to Mel’s office as I could, once the computer problem was fixed, converse with him on many topics that made my task much more enjoyable. He loved his job, fellow employees and the world around him, not to mention his lunch time sardines. He will be missed not for what I just mentioned but for just being himself. I have the deepest respect and appreciation of his allowing me to participate in a small portion of his life. Respectfully, Darrah
Frank and I loved visiting with Mel, Carol, and Frank and Dorothy Burgett when we made our trips back to Texas. Mel’s sharp wit and technical talks entertained us for hours. It was such a joy to see Mel enjoy good food. good wine, and good company. Life was never dull when Mel was in the area. My heart goes out to the family – he will be missed.
Joan Samonski
Gold Beach, Oregon
Mel will be missed very much by a lot of people in EPA. He was fun to be around and talk to. My condolences to his family. He was one of the best.
So sorry to hear this! (EPA, R10)
Mel was an competent chemist and a great employee of EPA.
His accomplishments were outstanding in identifying chemical constituents of spills of hazardous wastes.
I was privileged to be associated with Mel in his role as an very competent chemist for the Environmental Protection Agency.
While I am now retired, I will always remember Mel for his excellent ability to relate chemistry findings into practical terms. What a wonderful person.
Myron Knudson. Senior Manager, U S Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6.
He was a very kind man and a great grandfather. He and his wife raised 6 wonderful children who have integrity, charm, and intelligence, so he must’ve done a lot of things right. I know he will be missed. I extend condolences from the Steven Upperman family.
My deepest sympathies go out to the Ritter family, may you find comfort and peace.
Dr. Ritter will be truly missed.
Dr. Ritter will really be missed at the EPA and on this hallway. He always had a great conversation. We use to reminisce in regards to old movies and music, (which we shared a great love for. A lot of times we had the pleasure of hearing his operas. RIH