Ronald Allen Rittenmeyer

Ronald A. Rittenmeyer, 75, of Plano, Texas, died in the comfort of his loving family on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Ron was born in Wilkes Barre, PA, and is survived by his wife of 48 years, Hedy, his daughter Ashley and son-in-law Jayson. He was the proud grandfather to Liam and Logan. Additional family members include his sister Shirley Moore Brown, several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. His beloved son Christopher Allen Rittenmeyer preceded him in death in 2016. He is also preceded in death by his brother Harold Rittenmeyer, Jr. and his parents Harold and Shirley (Hitchner) Rittenmeyer.

Ron lived a legacy of leadership at the helm of 15 companies across numerous industries. His distinguished career highlighted his exemplary track record of successful transformations and was recognized as the “turnaround CEO”.

Ron most recently served as Executive Chairman of both the board and the company of Tenet Healthcare Corporation. Previously, in addition to his Executive Chairman title, he also served as CEO for nearly four years. As CEO of Tenet, Ron led the company through an era of tremendous growth and transformation, improving performance, financial health, leadership and governance while spearheading and cementing a cultural reset.

Ron was the retired Chairman, President and CEO of Electronic Data Systems (EDS). Before joining EDS he served as managing director of The Cypress Group. He also served as chairman and CEO of Millennium Health, leading the company’s successful emergence from Chapter 11 to an ongoing business. He was the former Chairman, President and CEO of Expert Global Solutions. Additionally he served as Chairman, President and CEO of Safety Kleen ,which he successfully navigated through Chapter 11; Ameriserve Food Distribution, which he also successfully brought through Chapter 11. He was Chairman, CEO and President of RailTex, Inc.; President and COO of Ryder TRS, Inc., the truck rental company; President and COO of Merisel and was COO of Burlington Northern Railroad and instrumental to its merger with Santa Fe Railroad. He spent 20 years at PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay Division in numerous leadership roles, including four years as VP of Middle East and World Wide Operations for PepsiCo Foods International.

In addition, Ron served on the board of directors of IQVIA Holdings, Inc. He was on the executive board of the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. He formerly served on the boards of R.H. Donnelly Corporation (presently DexYP), Avaya Holdings and American International Group, Inc. (AIG).

Ron grew up in a blue-collar household where his humble and hard-working beginnings laid the foundation for his career. He started pumping gas for a quarter an hour at 12 years old and worked his way through high school and college. His father instilled a work ethic in Ron which stayed with him throughout his career.

Ron was an exceptional leader who spent a lifetime achieving success through hard work, taking risks and accountability. He has left a lasting impact within the Dallas community and beyond. At the core of his success was his commitment to treating people with integrity, compassion and respect.

He had a passion for developing leaders. His philosophy was to be a great listener and provide direct feedback, giving rise to CEOs and COOs across various industries. He believed that “leadership is something that takes the average person and makes them do something that’s exceptional”.

Above all, Ron’s greatest accomplishment was his family. His wife Hedy was his best friend and incredible supporter for both him and his family. “By far, one of my greatest accomplishments was getting Hedy talked into marrying me.” Ron cherished his time with his wife, daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Jayson, and grandkids Liam and Logan.

Ron graduated from Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School in Kingston, PA. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in commerce and economics from Wilkes University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Rockhurst University. In 2013, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Wilke University. He was previously presented with a Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal and received an honorary Master of Letters in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Visitors for six years.

Ron earned many recognitions for his contributions and leadership. In 2021 the entire Tenet Healthcare Board, under Ron’s leadership, was named honorees for The Dallas Business Journal’s Outstanding Director Awards. In 2019 and 2020, Ron was named to Modern Healthcare’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in healthcare. He has also received The Best CEO for Small Cap Healthcare award by Institutional Investor, the Outstanding Healthcare Executive award from D CEO Magazine and was recognized as one of the Most Admired CEOs in North Texas by The Dallas Business Journal.

In addition to these recognitions, Ron was very proud of receiving the “Outstanding Achievement Award” in 1972 from President Nixon and HUD Secretary Romney for his leadership in the Hurricane Agnes disaster.

Visitation will be at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 18, from 6pm-8pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 19 ,at 11 am at the Church of the Incarnation

on McKinney Ave. in Dallas. Interment will be at a private family service.

The family requests in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the National Kidney Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Rittenmeyer family.