Visitation will take place 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, November 17, 2019 at Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral Service will take place at 2:30 p.m. Monday November 18, 2019 at the First Christian Church, Columbia, Missouri. Burial with Military Honors, will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Paul was born on April 3, 1925 in Cuba, Missouri the son of Lee Roy Ritchie and Della Elizabeth (Cornman) Ritchie. Paul attended school in Cuba, Missouri graduating in the Class of 1943. He volunteered to serve his country in the Army Air Corps. He became a B-24 pilot, airplane commander and flight officer. Upon returning from service, Paul was united in marriage to Virginia Theresa White who preceded him in death in 1996. Paul attended the University of Missouri where he earned a Bachelor’s, Master's, and a Doctorate in Education. Paul began his professional career teaching and coaching at Belle High School, Belle, Missouri. In 1951 he returned to the University of Missouri and entered a 38 year career as a professor and chair of the Physical Education Department. He retired in 1989 as Professor Emeritus of Physical Education. For many years he ran the clock for all the MIZZOU football games and that earned him two free tickets which his children fought over.
Paul served as chairman of the Boone County Citizen’s Committee for Conservation and they passed a conservation sales tax. He was Elder emeritus at First Christian Church, Columbia as well as a member of the American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance where he received numerous regional and national honors. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Cuba, MO and the Missouri Pilots Association.
Paul was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing but more importantly, he cared about the land, its use, and protections. He cared about wildlife and protecting their habitat. Paul was a man of true integrity that respected everyone he met.
In 1999 a long-time friendship turned to love when he was united in marriage to Patricia Davis Lawnick who survives. Other survivors include his children: Paula Ritchie and husband Tom Hackley; Tony Ritchie and fiancée Tena Groves; Patty Ritchie and husband Brian Nodine; Steve Lawnick; grandchildren: Lauren Spann and husband Shawn; Logan Ritchie; one sister: Mary Stubblefield and husband Jack; one sister in law: Shirley Ritchie and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia; a son: John Michael Ritchie; one grandson: Aaron John Ritchie; one sister Dorothy Wilkinson; two brothers John Ritchie and Claude Ritchie.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Columbia, MO.
