Thomas Hamilton Ritter, 98, Topeka, KS, formerly of Tacoma, WA, passed away on Wednesday November 5, 2014 at Lexington Park Skilled Nursing.

Thomas H. Ritter finished writing the first volume of his life story on Nov. 5, 2014 as he passed from this life into the next and into the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tom was born in Fowlerton, TX on January 18, 1916 to Andrew and Carrie Ritter. At the time of his passing, Tom had enjoyed 98 years of life and had been living in Topeka, KS for the previous 10 years.

Although born in Texas, Tom was essentially a native to the West Coast living in California, Oregon, and Washington. He attended a one-room school for 5th- 8th grades in Chehalis, WA - finishing all four grades in two years. While attending St. Helens High School, St. Helens, OR, Tom obtained an early morning paper route. Having to wake up early, he fashioned his own alarm system by attaching his alarm clock to his bedroom light. His fascination for taking things apart to ‘see how they worked’ led him into the electronics field. To this end he took a correspondence course in radio while serving as a non-paid apprentice at a radio repair shop. After graduating from Napa Union High School, Napa, CA, in 1933 he continued in the line of radio repair by finding jobs in Westport and Seaside, OR. Answering an advertisement as a Trainee Repairman for Montgomery Ward finally brought him to Astoria, OR where his job was basically to fix anything that was sold by the store. It was while working at the Astoria Montgomery Ward store that he met his future bride – Ruth Ford. They were married in Astoria, OR on May 18, 1939, the day she graduated from High School.

While being a devoted, loving, and faithful husband, Tom’s career in radio/appliance repair morphed into one working on radar and microwave systems. From 1942-1945 he served in the US Navy as a radar instructor. After his discharge from the Navy Tom continued to work in the radar field as a Philco TechRep, training Air Force personnel to both operate and maintain their radar systems, until the cable TV field opened up, or, maybe it should be said he opened up the field. He used his innovative spirit and creative mind to design and engineer the development of several such systems in CA. It was during this time that he devised and brought to life the first fiber optic cable system. Looking for another challenge, in the early years of the space race Tom signed on as a Senior Research Engineer at Vandenberg AFB, CA where he participated in the design, fabrication, testing, launch, and post-launch evaluation of classified payloads – thus using his creativity in a slightly different vein.

From 1966 – 1981 Tom was the Vice President of Research and Development for H & B Communications Corp. During this time Tom patented several devices for use in the communication industry. Tom retired, and then retired two more times. Not returning to the work force out of necessity, but in order to find outlets for his creativity and fundamental mechanical abilities.

Tom was the epitome of a life-time learner – always interested in expanding his knowledge and understanding of the physical world around him. He was always interested in stretching himself either mentally or physically. Even in his later years he was a regular user of a ‘New-Step’ exercise machine to improve his strength.

Tom thoroughly enjoyed his family - along the way Tom and Ruth became the proud parents of William (‘Bill’ - Eureka, CA; 1941), Joanne (Oakland, CA; 1949), and John (Arcata, CA; 1953) – each of whom are thankful to have had them as their parents and to have had them involved as an integral part of their lives.

Although he had reason to be proud of his career accomplishments, you would never hear him boast of them. Tom had a quiet disposition, but underneath this quietness was a firm resolve for truth, fairness, and graciousness. He was never heard to cast dispersions on the character of anyone – a trait we can all admire. His faith, while also being both quiet and private was founded on the fact that Jesus had died for his sins and he knew where he would spend eternity.

Finally, Tom was a loyal and faithful husband to his ‘Sweetie Pie’ (Ruth) to whom he was married for 72 years before her passing in 2011. Volumes could be written on the dignity, respect, and love he showered on her for those many years – again a model for all. He recently mentioned that he had had a dream in which she had come to him to say that she was busy preparing a place for him. Now they are together again.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, his brother (George ‘Bob’ Ritter), and his sister (Betty Nelson). He is survived by his children and their spouses William – ‘Bill’ (Pat), Joanne, John (Sally), grandchildren David (Heather), Caryn, Cathy, Chris (Kara), Dan (Corina), Steven (Katie), and two great-grandchildren Kaitlyn and Bennett.

Memorial services for Tom and Ruth are pending at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.To leave a special message for the family click on the Shared Memories button above.