Dates
Richard James “Dick” Rittman was 88 years old when he was called home to heaven on Thursday, September 10th, 2020 surrounded by his wife and 5 daughters. The fifth of six children, he was born on March 20, 1932, in Keokuk, Iowa to William and Minnie Rittman.
Dick grew up in Iowa and Arkansas, and served 4 years in the US Navy. He attended high school at Subiaco Academy and played basketball for The University of Arkansas, winning the Southwest Conference Championship in 1958 during his senior year. He married Betty Hiryak in 1954 and after graduation, moved his family to New Boston, Texas to start his coaching career. After several successful basketball coaching seasons and leading his team to a State Championship Final at New Boston, Dick was recruited to San Angelo as head basketball and assistant football coach at Central High School where he was part of the 1966 Football State Championship coaching staff. Dick retired from the San Angelo Independent School District in 1990 after 27 years, having served as Assistant Principal and Principal of John Glenn Junior High School, SAISD Athletic Director, and as Founding Director of PAYS School. He was inducted into the Texas Athletic Director Hall of Fame in 2015. His entire career was focused on the education and well-being of his students. He proudly wore his “Kids are Special” lapel pin to remind us all that our children are our special gift.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and four of his five siblings. He is survived by his sister Carolyn Brockert of Costa Mesa, CA. He is also survived by his wife Betty and five daughters; Susan (Dr. Gene) Sherrod, Cheri (Bob) Colby, Retta Smith, Mary (Brian) Thompson and Beth (Dr. Todd) Henderson. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren; Sarah Lamb, Julie Eledge, Jessica Stidham, Samantha Conner, Scarlett Calvin, Stephanie Long, Sterling Smith, Carson McCain, Stephen Lain, Aaron Willman, Brandon Willman, Clayton Willman, Jake Henderson, Matt Henderson and AnaClaire Henderson.
Dick was also the proud Papa to his fifteen great-grandchildren, Hudson and Harris Lamb, Finleigh and Fischer Eledge, Olivia Vilardo, Weston and Wyatt Conner, Stella and Rittman Calvin, Landry and Jaxson Long, Ben and Mason McCain, Harper and Bray Willman. He especially loved playing Santa Claus every Christmas season to not only his grandchildren and great-grandchildren but to the children of friends and relatives as well. For most of these children, Papa is the only Santa Claus they’ve ever known.
Dick’s love for the game of golf kept him young as he and Betty were proud members of Bentwood country club for close to 30 years. He played regularly with his golfing buddies and grandchildren. Even in his final months, you could find Dick enjoying time on the course, living life to the fullest, and regularly shooting his age.
Dick and Betty had the joy of celebrating their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries with their loving and expanding family. This October 4th would have been their 66th wedding anniversary. They were also very proud of their 58-year membership at Holy Angels Catholic Church.
Visitation is at Harper Funeral Home. A rosary will be said at Harper Funeral Home, Monday evening, September 14, 2020 at 6:00pm. A funeral mass with military honors will be said at Holy Angels Catholic Church on Tuesday morning, September 15, 2020 at 10:00 am. Services are open to all family and friends but, masks are required. In a private family ceremony, Dick will be interred in the Columbarium at Holy Angels.
The family would especially like to thank Dr. John Harvey, nurses (angels on earth) Angela and Stephanie, and the staff on 4 North at Shannon Hospital for all of their kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Subiaco Abbey, 405 North Subiaco Avenue, Subiaco, AR 72865.
Rosary
Monday, September 14, 2020
6:00PM
Harper Funeral Home
2606 Southland Boulevard
San Angelo, TX 76904
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
10:00AM
Holy Angels Catholic Church
2309 A & M
San Angelo, TX 76904