Thomas Henry Ritter

January 9, 1945 - January 23, 2019

After 3 years of living with ALS, Thomas Henry Ritter passed away January 23, 2019. He was 74. Tom was a husband, dad and pop-pop (grandpa), trader, coach, sports fan and under the table dog feeder. Many will remember his strong yet gentle nature, quiet and thoughtful style, his wit, sly smile, quiet persistence, loyalty, passionate work ethic and fun loving and optimistic attitude. Tom leaves his wife of 46 years Mary Sheppard Ritter; four children, Todd (Kate Bandler), Andrew (Katie Mahar), Colin (Jillian Sheppard) and Kate (Abby Peters) and seven grandchildren Grace, Ruby, Arlo, Adeline, Nathaniel, Coraline, and Jesse (an eighth grandchild expected in May); twin brother Tim, younger brother Jeff (Kathy); many nieces, nephews and in-laws. He is predeceased by his parents and brother John. Born in Minneapolis and raised in Cleveland Heights Ohio, Tom was a long term resident of Lake Forest, Illinois. Tom received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in 1967 and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago Quinlan School of Business in 1969. Tom traded commodities at Mid America Commodity Exchange then at Chicago Board of Trade for almost 50 years. He was a professional mentor to many, taught the business of commodity trading to clerks and friends alike. Tom coached a variety of youth sports, was President and a long time Board member of Lake Forest High School Booster club, the proud first parent to receive a SUPER SCOUT award. Tom served as a Deacon at Lake Forest First Presbyterian Church and was on the Board of Directors of PADS Lake County, IL for a decade. Tom was sober through AA for 37 years. Tom was especially grateful to all who supported him during his ALS journey. A visitation is scheduled for 4-7pm, Friday, February 1, 2019 at Union Church of Lake Bluff, 525 E. Prospect Ave, Lake Bluff IL 60044. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 11am also at Union Church of Lake Bluff, with a reception to follow. Info – Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest, 847-234-9649 or www.RTfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to PADS Lake County, PO Box 428, North Chicago IL 60064, (http://www.padslakecounty.org/donate) or to support ALS Research within the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E Superior, Rubloff Bldg., 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 (https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/alsresearch/about/giving.html).