Lawrence Ritter

Lawrence was born April 9, 1923, to Lawrence Sr and Elsa Neipp Ritter in Spring Valley, NY.

Lawrence was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Carol, who passed in April 2023, one day after their 72nd wedding anniversary. He is survived by their children Rick (Mary Lee) of Colchester, VT, Dianne of Halfmoon, NY, Tricia (Konrad) of Mesa, AZ, Randy (Margaret) of Macungie, PA, and grandchildren Beth, Lauren, Max, Cathy and Grant. He was pre-deceased by his sisters Helen Thompson and Doris Klenkel.

Lawrence graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1940 where he excelled at slide rule math and photography. He attended Union College in Schenectady, NY, majoring in chemistry. In his junior year, he joined the war effort by enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps 9th Air Force. He trained as a meteorologist in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After several stateside postings, Lawrence was assigned to the airbase at North Witham, England, where the Pathfinder School was located. In the early hours of June 6, 1944, Lawrence's weather forecast contributed to the successful mission of landing the first Pathfinder paratroopers behind enemy lines on D-Day.

After the war, Lawrence returned to the U.S. and obtained a Master's Degree in Chemistry from the University of Chicago.

In 1951, Lawrence married the love of his life Carol Hellings, whom he met at the Camera Club at Lederle Laboratories, now Pfizer, in Pearl River, NY, where he was a chemist in product development and she an animal researcher. He retired from Lederle with a number of patents to his name in 1991 after nearly 50 years.

Larry was a devoted, determined, and dedicated family man where he proudly supported the college pursuits of his children and grandchildren. His interests in HiFi audio and electronics, trains, and classical music live on and thrive in his family today. He was a natural storyteller, as over his 100 years he had so many experiences to share, like the time he and Nobel Laureate Enrico Fermi both sought the only open spot at the U Chicago dining hall and crashed their lunch trays into each other.

Larry will be interred with Military Honors in the Frederick Loescher Veterans Cemetery in Spring Valley, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Larry's name to United Hospice of Rockland (unitedhospiceinc.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wanamakercarlough.com for the Ritter family.