Former commodities trader and longtime Lake Forest resident Thomas Henry Ritter died on January 23, after living with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). He was 74.
Mr. Ritter was a husband, dad and pop-pop (grandfather), coach, sports fan, and under-the-table dog feeder. Many will remember his strong yet gentle nature and quiet and thoughtful style, along with his wit, sly smile, quiet persistence, loyalty, passionate work ethic, fun-loving attitude, and constant optimism.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Sheppard Ritter; children Todd (Kate Bandler), Andrew (Katie Mahar), Colin (Jillian Sheppard) and Kate (Abby Peters); and grandchildren Grace, Ruby, Arlo, Adeline, Nathaniel, Coraline and Jesse (with No. 8 due in May); twin brother, Tim, and brother Jeff (Kathy).
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother John.
Born in Minneapolis and raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Tom received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University in 1967 and his MBA from Loyola University of Chicago Quinlan School of Business in 1969. Tom traded commodities at Mid America Commodity Exchange and at Chicago Board of Trade for nearly a combined 50 years. He was a professional mentor to many, teaching the business of commodity trading to clerks and friends alike.
Tom coached a variety of youth sports, was president and a longtime board member of the Lake Forest High School Booster club, and the proud first parent to receive a SUPER SCOUT award.
Tom also served as a Deacon at Lake Forest First Presbyterian Church and was on the board of directors of PADS Lake County for a decade.
Tom was especially grateful to all who supported him during his battle with ALS.
Visitation is February 1, 4-7 p.m., at Union Church of Lake Bluff, 525 E. Prospect Ave.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 2, at 11 a.m., also at Union Church, with a reception to follow. Info: Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest, 847-234-9649 or www.RTfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to PADS Lake County, PO Box 428, North Chicago IL 60064, (http://www.padslakecounty.org/donate), or to support ALS Research within the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E Superior, Rubloff Bldg., 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 (https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/alsresearch/about/giving.html).
