Archibald Turner Ritchie

Archibald Turner Ritchie, 88, of Hudson, Ohio passed away on July 12, 2023 doing what he loved best, enjoying a meal with friends, laughing, and telling jokes.

Born in Cleveland, Arch is survived by his cat, Winston, and his children; Kevin (Amy) Ritchie, Bruce (Ann) Ritchie, Jennifer (Troy) Cox, and Barbara (Warren) Bebinger, and his grandchildren; Sarah (Ben) Webb, Amanda Ritchie, Emilee (Logan) Cooke, Lauren Ritchie and Bryan (Lexi) Ritchie, Tyler and Olivia Cox and Jack and Laura Bebinger. He is also survived by two greatgrandchildren and his sister Sally (Daniel) Drain. Arch was preceded in death by Susan, his wife of 59 years, and  his brother, Adam Ritchie.

After graduating from Rocky River High School, Arch served in the US Coast Guard in Buffalo, NY and reminded us all that Canada never invaded the U.S. on his watch. Returning to Cleveland after his service ended, he worked for White Motor Company as a technical writer and then for Deluxe Check Printers as a regional sales executive where he enjoyed a long career working the northeast Ohio territory and meeting with bankers in large and small banks. He continued his  education at night school and received a bachelor’s degree in business from Cleveland State University.

Upon retirement from Deluxe, Arch joined his wife and daughter, Jennifer, in running a commercial embroidery business. The business evolved into a national association supporting business owners in the commercial embroidery industry. Arch loved hosting the association’s many trade shows and getting to know NNEP members and industry suppliers from across the country.

Arch and Susan enjoyed travel and visited national parks, landmarks, and antique malls in every state, except Idaho and Hawaii. The many weeks spent at the John Campbell Folk School honing his skills in photography, wood carving, basket weaving, and wood turning were a special favorite. He continued his travels even after Susan passed, exploring Iceland, Costa Rica, and many other locations with an avid curiosity, a sense of adventure, and his trusty camera.

Arch was a master at making people feel welcome and the phrase “he never knew a stranger” described him perfectly. When he moved into his current home in Hudson, he met many of his new neighbors during his daily walks around the community. He began hosting  casual gatherings on his driveway during the pandemic, weather permitting. If the garage door was up, everyone knew that they were welcome to stop by, share a beverage and enjoy a visit. Arch loved to make people laugh. He had an extraordinary ability to associate a joke with nearly any topic of  conversation. “Did I ever tell you the one about…” was a phrase that we loved to hear, as that was the segue into his next joke.

He was a voracious learner and loved his cat Winston, his many friends, good (and bad) jokes, birds, geology, space and astronomy, photography, Great Lakes shipping, WWII history and YouTube channels such as Instructables. He was always exploring new hobbies, including playing the harmonica, painting landscapes, lightship basket weaving, and wood carving, among others.

Arch will be honored at a Celebration of Life (1 pm) and Open House (1:30-4 pm) on August 19, 2023, at the Natatorium of Cuyahoga Falls, 2345 Fourth Street,  Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of Summit County or to The Wilderness Center, Wilmot, Ohio.  Condolences and special memories of Arch can be shared with his loved ones online at www.heritagecremationsociety.com

Heritage Cremation & Burial Society

(330) 875-5770