Michael Dennis Ritch
April 17, 1938 - February 25, 2025
Obituary
April 17, 1938 – February 25, 2025
Michael Dennis Ritch passed away peacefully at the age of 86, after a long and fulfilling life. He was born on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1938, to Odzeal Marie (Lanier) and Eugene Edward Ritch in Seattle, Washington. He had two older brothers: Richard, who passed away in infancy, and James who was 13 years older than Mike. He was a called a miracle child by his mother.
Mike spent many of his growing up years in West Seattle. He could be found watching the Seattle Rainers, playing sports with his friends at the recreation center or swimming at Alki beach. He used the Seattle bus system extensively to go Holy Rosary, then Seattle Prep and various recreational pursuits. He played baseball and football at Seattle Prep, but his true love was baseball.
While on academic scholarship at Seattle University, his former Seattle Prep football coach highlighted to Mike that he was truly a people person, and his current path of pre-dentistry didn’t fit his gift for people or his love of sports. He took the advice to heart and pursued a degree in Education and coaching.
In all his pursuits, Mike demonstrated a strong work ethic. Since his sophomore year in high school, he always had multiple jobs to pay for his education and his transportation needs. He worked at the Homestead Restaurant on Alki, Fredrick & Nelson, an aluminum siding company, trapping fish in Alaska, and coaching football at Seattle Prep while at Seattle U.
Mike enjoyed his experience coaching at Seattle Prep, so he decided he wanted a job where he could teach and coach. His first teaching job was at Tyee Junior High in Bellevue where he taught English, history, and reading and was the assistant track coach. He also went back to summer school to acquire his master’s degree in counseling. This was the beginning of years of mentoring and inspiring young people through teaching, counseling, and coaching.
At Mike’s second school, he met Karen Evans. He needed a date for a school staff dinner and invited Karen, the cute P.E. teacher. They were married on August 15, 1964, in Seattle, WA. Their family has grown to include three daughters; Melanie Cribbs (Kyle), Robin Ritch, and Dana Bearman (Mike), seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Mike taught, coached, and counseled at Tyee and Tillicum junior highs, and Newport and Sammamish High Schools for 33 years. He officiated high school and college football games for 42 years, including the Pac 10/12. His officiating skills provided an opportunity to work on the sidelines with the chain crew, and then as a play clock operator for Seahawks home games for 30 years.
Mike enjoyed spending time with his family. He watched most of the kids and many of the grandkids’ sporting events. He enjoyed and prioritized traveling to family out of town. Mike loved fishing in the summers, enjoyed reading, and watching sports. He played fast pitch softball for many years. He loved traveling and exploring new places. Mike and Karen spent many years enjoying the beauty of Hawaii. Coaching allowed him the opportunity to accompany many high school athletes to China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and Spain for a cultural exchange.
Mike loved people. He enjoyed getting to know them and building new friendships. His kindness and humor put people at ease. He had a willingness to help those around him. He was a mentor to many young people. He was a loving and thoughtful husband, father, and grandfather. He will be missed.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 7720 126th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 9803