Obituary of Walter Lowrie Ritter, III

Walter L Ritter III Philadelphia Banker Broad Street Run Chairman Walter L. Ritter, a long-time resident of Abington Township passed away peacefully on March 22, 2024 of a short illness. He was 84. He was born in Albemarle, NC to the late Walter L. Ritter, Jr. and Doris Shaw Ritter. He grew up with his parents and sister, Diane Ritter (Pencek) in Pittsburgh, Altoona, Roxborough and Springfield Township, Montgomery County. He graduated from Springfield High School, and Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA. He received a banking degree from Stonier School of Banking, Rutgers. He served in the US Army Reserves. Walt rose very early every morning, looking forward to the day. During his life-time Philadelphia banking career, beginning at Girard Trust Corn Exchange Bank, he ran five miles before heading to the office. He was approached in 1982 to take over the fledgling Broad Street Run. His seven year leadership as Chairman helped make it the Cancer Society sponsored success it is today with now a limit of 40,000 runners. Walt made friends wherever he went. His friend and family times were built around Eagles games, beach vacations and trips to New York City for fine art, opera and jazz concerts. He would need another lifetime to listen to all of his jazz CDs. His love of art led Walt and his wife Linda to museums in Italy, Paris and London. They toured the National Parks with their young children and, in later years, returned to day-hike in Yosemite and the Canadian Rockies. Yet he could also enjoy a quiet evening on the deck with Linda enjoying the view of her gardens and the woods beyond. He is survived by his wife, Linda Whitesell Ritter, and their three children, spouses and families: Greg and Kristine Ritter and son Leif Ritter, Ben and Stacie Ritter and their children Madeline, Jan, Ethan and Abby Ritter, and Amy and Joe Adamski and daughter Brynn. A life well lived. He is missed every day. The family will celebrate his life in private. A memorial luncheon for family and friends is planned for May. Donations in his name may be made to Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, 2955 Edge Hill Road, Huntington Valley, PA 19006 or Coe College, 1220 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.