Richard L. Ritter, 78, of Ephrata, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026, at WellSpan Community Hospital in Ephrata. Born in Lebanon County and raised in Lancaster County, he was the son of the late Harry and Leah (Balsbaugh) Ritter and the loving husband of Michelle A. (Neil) Ritter. They would have celebrated 31 years of marriage in August.
Richard, known as Dick to family and friends, graduated from Ephrata High School in 1966.
In the early 1970s, Dick bought a family retail poultry business with locations at several farmers markets, including 69th Street and Broomall near Philadelphia and Root’s Market in Lancaster County. He loved serving customers, meeting people, and turning strangers into friends.
The retail business grew into the wholesale market as RL Poultry, Inc., delivering bulk poultry to grocery stores and restaurants throughout Lancaster and surrounding Pennsylvania counties.
As it grew, RL Ritter Poultry built a new location on Durlach Road in Ephrata, became Ritter Poultry, and shifted fully to wholesale. After adding beef and pork, the company became Ritter Food Services and was sold to Pennfield Farms in the late 1980s.
In 1991, Dick and his first wife founded Ritter Tour and Travel, which grew from local tours to trips around the world and brought him many lasting friendships. As the business expanded, Elite Coach was created so RT&T no longer needed to rent coaches; it was sold to Paul Kurtz in 1997.
He met Michelle on a trip to England, where she was a tour participant. In semi-retirement, Dick worked part time for local farmers markets. He and Michelle loved traveling, visiting every continent twice, including Antarctica. He treasured family, friends, meals out, Philadelphia sports, especially the Phillies and time on the patio with his dog, Dixie. Compassionate and generous, he often thought of others before himself.
In addition to Michelle, Dick is survived by two sons, Richard A., husband of Erica Ritter of Ephrata, and William D., husband of Cheryl Ritter of Campbellsville, Kentucky; six grandchildren, Braden and Dylan Ritter of Ephrata and Clarice, Carynne, Cayla, and Cora Ritter of Campbellsville; one brother, Glenn, husband of Cheryl Ritter of New Holland; brother-in-law Michael Neil of Lebanon; two aunts, Anna Mae Kupp of Lititz and Yvonne Balsbaugh of Lebanon; and many cousins, a niece, and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Leah Ritter, and his brother, Robert Ritter.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Lebanon County, 150 N. Ramona Road, Myerstown, PA 17067, or Humane Pennsylvania Freedom Center, 1801 N. 11th Street, Reading, PA 19604.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Denver, PA. The family will receive visitors from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., with the service beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata. Online condolences can be given at stradlingfuneralhome.com.
