Edward Scott Ritter

December 17, 1954 – February 10, 2022

Following a tender morning strolling the sun-soaked beach sands with Peggy, his love and life partner of 29 years, Ed returned to the comfort of their seaside winter haven in Daytona Beach Shores, where his heart gently surrendered at the too-young age of 67.

Ed was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania but lived a bountiful life in the Kansas City Area, where he enjoyed his youth and was widely recognized for his accomplished career. Growing up and graduating from high school in Raytown, Ed went on to the University of Missouri, Kansas City, where he worked his way through school and graduated with an Accounting degree, the academic foundation of his legendary competence and successes.

Ed sculpted his early work ethic through employment in the Sears Warehouse and distribution center as he financed his college. Early signs of his leadership qualities were quickly evident by his elevation to the management team charged with a staff of 45 and responsible for everything from forklifts to handling customers. This early work experience fortified by rigorous academic training was the precursor of his grasp of leadership, management, and work skills.

After completing his Accounting degree, Ed was recruited to and joined the Audit Department of Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co in January 1977. Beginning a nearly 50-year career of serial accomplishments, Ed initially focused on banking and insurance audits but quickly developed insurance expertise that was a rare talent. He was admitted to the Partnership in 1988 as an Audit Partner, where his insurance clients recognized and profited from his knowledge and expertise. During his tenure at Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co, working with client BMA Corporation, he helped on significant projects in addition to audits, such as taking Home Office Reference Laboratory public and the sale of the company to Assicurazioni Generali, SpA.

Following completing the sale to Generali, Ed joined BMA Corporation in 1990 as Senior Vice President, Finance. He used his expertise to expand BMA into new businesses, including the acquisition of Jones and Babson and the ultimate sale of the direct business and the formation of a new company, Generali Life USA, a life reinsurance company. He went on to consult nationally and internationally in mergers & acquisitions and other areas of corporate finance.

Generali asked Ed to return as CEO and their US Representative. Finally, having long been on the Board of Preferred Physicians Mutual, a medical malpractice company specializing in anesthesiology, he was asked to become CEO. He remained on the Board of Generali USA, eventually retiring from PPM and all boards in 2012.

Ed was the true Servant Leader. He embraced the intricacy of life and sought to solve it by constantly improving himself, but more importantly, contributing to the success and happiness of others. There were no ends he wouldn’t go to help a friend from giving a young Croatian girl her first VW to helping friends in home repairs and landscaping, and even pouring coffee while operating as a human cash machine at McDonough’s booth at the KU basketball games.

Along with his passion for investing and financial markets, Ed adored open-wheel racing–Formula 1, the 24 Hours of LeMans and the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in particular. He collected joys from life’s simplicities, like following in his dad’s footsteps as the family Christmas cookie-baker. He loved teaching others how to make the Stan Cookies.

All who knew and were befriended by Ed realized quickly he relished a good pint of craft beer, a glass of red wine, or a shot of single malt scotch. He took the most pleasure from introducing friends and family to whatever new pub, dive-bar, or microbrewery he found. He especially enjoyed taking Peggy’s nieces and nephews out for their first drinks and made sure they understood the delicacies and intimacy of flavor, aroma, and palate.

Survived by spouse Peggy Heidkamp, sister-in-law Diana Otto, mother Diana Ritter, predeceased by father Stanley Ritter, brother David Ritter. He has numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in Allentown who mourn his loss. He will be acutely missed by Peggy’s large family, and all his friends in Kansas City; New York; Daytona Beach Shores, Florida; Trieste, Italy; Guernsey, UK and elsewhere.

During the pandemic, Ed loved watching Father Tommy Conway from St. Fabian’s in Mississippi, Peggy’s sister Eileen Parker’s parish. A private memorial service will be held there as Peggy makes her return to Kansas. A celebration of his life will be held in Kansas at a future date. At some point, Peggy will plan a tour of his favorite pubs ranging from Churchill Arms,London; The Quay, Galway, Ireland; Emerald Inn, New York; Butch McGuires, Chicago; the Deck Down Under and Beachside Brewery in Florida; Conroy's in Overland Park, Kansas and many others. In the meantime, Peggy and family appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers. Please raise the Parting Glass and say “Slainte” in his memory.

A recording of the service can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NapdPNVDWzY

Donations in Ed’s name can be made to: St Fabian’s Catholic Church, 9 St. Fabian Way, Hattiesburg, MS 39402. Online donations can be made through their website, http://www.saintfabian.com/give or to Spoke18 Inc., 5621 W 135th Street Suite 2630, Overland Park, KS 66223. Spoke 18 is a local Kansas City metro organization that focuses on assisting foster children who age out of foster care and need mentoring, guidance and support to move forward.