Donald Henry Ritter

Donald Henry Ritter, 92, of Olympia, Washington, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026.

Donald was born on August 21, 1933, in Port Angeles, Washington, to Henry and Eva Ritter. Following his father's employment, he spent his childhood Port Angeles, Montana and Cope, South Carolina, his father's hometown. Through his developing years, he gained a deep appreciation for the Pacific Northwest that remained with him throughout his life.

In 1953, Donald set out to enlist in the United States Navy. Fate had other plans. On a warm day in Port Angeles, the Navy recruiter happened to be out to lunch. Seeing the young man waiting outside, the Air Force recruiter crossed the street, handed Donald an ice-cold Coca-Cola, and struck up a conversation. That simple act of kindness changed the course of his life. Donald enlisted in the United States Air Force that day and never looked back.

Interesting fact: In Don’s military file, is a picture of his Air Force enlistment that was sent from the Army Department to his mother and father. On the back of the picture is a DOD message confirming the fact that Don was the last official military enrollee under President Harry S Truman.

Following basic training at Park Air Force Base in California, Donald began a distinguished military career with the United States Air Force Security Service. His assignments took him around the world, including Edinburgh, Scotland; Trabzon, Turkey; Fort Meade, Maryland; Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas; Peshawar, Pakistan; Zweibrücken, West Germany; the Vietnam war zone; and finally Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. He retired in 1976 after more than 23 years of honorable service as a Senior Master Sergeant.

Donald met the love of his life, Patricia, while stationed at Fort Meade. Their story began with a blind date on New Year's Eve in 1955. Patricia was working for the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C., and several of her friends worked at the Pentagon. One of those friends was dating a fellow serviceman stationed with Donald and believed the two would make a wonderful match. She invited Patricia to accompany Donald to a New Year's Eve party, and from that evening forward they were inseparable.

Early in their courtship, Donald told Patricia he wasn't interested in getting married anytime soon because he wanted to "travel and see the world." As it turned out, he found the perfect traveling companion. Just eight months later, on August 11, 1956, they were married in Patricia's hometown of Algona, Iowa. The day after their wedding, they began their honeymoon by driving across the country to Port Angeles so Patricia could meet Donald's parents before returning to the Washington, D.C., area. Soon afterward, Donald secured housing for his next overseas assignment, and the young couple began their life together in Karamursel Air Force Base, Turkey, launching nearly seventy years of marriage and a lifetime of adventures around the world.

As Donald's Air Force career progressed, so did the Ritter family. While stationed at Headquarters Command at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, Donald and Patricia welcomed their first son, Rodney, in 1960, followed by Dennis in 1962.

Donald's promotions led the family to Peshawar, Pakistan, in 1963, where their third son, Patrick, was born in 1964. Donald embraced every opportunity to learn about the people and places around him. He quickly picked up many Pakistani words and phrases, a talent that stayed with him for the rest of his life. Even decades later, he delighted in surprising a Persian rug merchant at the Fort Lewis Post Exchange by carrying on a conversation using words he had learned while living in Pakistan.

The family's journey continued to Zweibrücken, West Germany, where their youngest son, Timothy, was born in 1966. Another assignment brought the family back to Kelly Air Force Base before Donald deployed to Pleiku, Vietnam, in 1969. During his deployment, Patricia and the boys returned to her hometown of Algona, Iowa, where family surrounded them until Donald safely returned home.

In 1970, Donald received what would become his final permanent assignment with the 6981st Security Service at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. Never one to shy away from an adventure, he packed the family into their Rambler station wagon and drove the Alaska Highway, much of it still gravel at the time, creating memories that became part of Ritter family lore.

As retirement approached, Donald and Patricia spent long evening walks near their temporary housing at Kelly Air Force Base discussing where they wanted to begin the next chapter of their lives. Remembering visits with his Uncle Dale in Olympia, Washington, Donald knew exactly where they would call home.

Although there was no civilian equivalent to his work in military intelligence, Donald found a career perfectly suited to his personality at Capitol Chevrolet in Olympia. What began as a second career became another remarkable success. Donald loved meeting people, listening to their stories, understanding what they needed, and helping them find the right vehicle. His honesty, warmth, and genuine interest in others earned the trust of generations of customers. He became Capitol Chevrolet's top salesman for many years, with most of his business coming from loyal repeat customers and referrals. Even after officially retiring, Donald continued to return to the dealership simply because he enjoyed it, happily covering for coworkers on vacation until he was nearly 80 years old.

Donald possessed an endless curiosity about people. He genuinely wanted to know where someone came from, what they had experienced, and what made them who they were. Whether talking with a lifelong friend or someone he had just met, Donald made people feel seen and valued. He loved talking with people; traveling, sunshine, family vacations, cruises with Patricia, and, above all, spending time with his family. His greatest joy was being a husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Eva Ritter, and his sisters Louise, Carol, and Linda.

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Patricia; his sons Rodney (Dianna), Dennis (Kristin), Patrick (Stacy), and Timothy; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his sister Florence "Pete"; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Public is invited to attend the memorial at Saint Michael Parish in Olympia, Washington multi-purpose room August 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Donald's life was defined by service, curiosity, integrity, and love. From an unexpected Coca-Cola that led him into the Air Force, to a blind date that became nearly seventy years of marriage, to decades of helping customers find the perfect car, he never lost his desire to connect with people. He believed everyone had a story worth hearing, and he lived a life that left a remarkable story of his own.