Charles Jackson Ritchie

C. Jackson Ritchie, JR. Passed away peacefully on Friday, December 23, 2016 at George Washington University Hospital at age 82. He was the former Chairman and CEO of First American Bank and served on numerous corporate and charitable boards in Washington, DC. for more than 50 years. Jack was deeply committed to serving his community and cherished his family and his many, many friends. Jack Ritchie was born in Houston, Texas on December 30, 1933 and a product of St. Thomas Aquinas High School. He attended Rice University and the University of Houston, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Following his service as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jack moved to Washington, D.C. in 1958. In l961, Jack began his banking career as a trainee at American Security Bank. He served as an Assistant Treasurer in their branch system before moving to the Union Trust Company in 1968. In 1974 Jack became Executive Vice President and, post-merger with Union First National Bank, became a member of the Board of Directors in l977. Union First was renamed First American Bank in 1980. Jack was elected President and Chief Administrative Officer in 1981, President and Chief Executive Officer in 1986, and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1988. He retired in 1991 and then began a second career as the President and CEO of the H Street Building Corporation. Jack Ritchie's professional activities included the Washington Area Bankers Association (past President); the Association of Reserve City Bankers; the American Institute of Banking (past President, Washington Chapter); and various committees of the American Bankers Association.

For many years, Jack actively participated in civic and charitable affairs, serving on numerous education, health care and economicand developments boards within the city. Included in a long list are Children's National Medical Center, Kingman Boys and Girls Club, St. John's Child Development Center, American Cancer Society, Combined Health Appeal of the NCA, Kiwanis Club of Washington, Washington Hospital Center Foundation, George Washington School of Business and Public Management, Tudor Place, Federal City Council, Economic Development Finance Corporation, Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation, Salvation Army, Army Historical Foundation, and Army Emergency Relief. Army Emergency Relief (AER) was a particular passion, because his uncle, Brig Gen William L. Ritchie; both of his brothers, Col. Robin Polk Ritchie, LTC. William Ludlow Ritchie II; and a number of his nieces and nephews served in the Armed Forces. Jack served as Army Emergency Relief's Vice President for Finance for 43 years. Upon his retirement, the AER Board of Managers established "The Jack Ritchie Distinguished Service Award" that is presented annually to the "individual or organization that best exemplifies Jack Ritchie's outstanding spirit, dedication and extraordinary service to Army Emergency Relief". Throughout his life in Washington, Jack was a dedicated member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square and served in many roles: vestry member, warden and treasurer. He was often found greeting parishioners as an usher with a warm embrace and welcoming smile. Jack enjoyed a variety of sports, fishing, boating and was passionate about golf. He was a member of Chevy Chase Club, the Metropolitan Club and Burning Tree Club. He could always be found passing advice, telling a joke, or carrying a tune.

Jack is survived by his wife, Jane DeGraff Sloat Ritchie; his three children, Charles Jackson Ritchie III, Henry Tatlow Ritchie, Laura Beedy Ritchie; granddaughter, Annette Jackson Ritchie; and brother Robin Polk Ritchie and wife, Jan. He is also survived by step children, Pamela DeGraff Porter and Jill De Graff Thorpe and their children. He was predeceased by brother Ltc. William Ludlow Ritchie II.

Friends and family may call on Monday, January 9 at Gawler's Funeral Home between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 10 at St. John's Church, Lafayette Square at 2:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Jack's life at the Metropolitan Club. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be directed to St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square or to Army Emergency Relief, which provides soldiers and their families with assistance for a wide variety of financial situations.