Second Ward Councilman Robert C. Ritchie was a “gentleman and honorable,” said Mayor Kelly Decker in an email, responding to the news of Ritchie’s passing on Aug. 17.
“He cared for his constituents and their concerns as he loved this city and wanted to see it move forward and succeed,” Decker continued. “He will truly be missed.”
Ritchie, a second ward councilman for five years, a city resident for 28, a husband and father of two, passed away at age 60. The cause of death was not public by the time of publication, but County Executive Steven Neuhaus alluded to ongoing health problems.
“His positive demeanor never varied, even in the face of enormous health challenges,” he said in a statement.
Ritchie’s councilman profile lists him as a 1974 graduate of Port Jervis High School and a 1986 graduate of Hudson Valley Community College with an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Programming. His occupation is listed as a county information services helpdesk supervisor.
Since he was re-elected in 2015, he was the chairman of the Police Committee, and a council liaison to the Department of Public Works and the Port Jervis Industrial Development Agency (IDA).
“The city has lost an individual with the character that we should all strive to emulate,” wrote fellow councilman Stanley Siegel in an email. “Bob was a wonderful man who cared deeply for his family, his constituents, the city, and his party.”
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On Aug. 18, this article was updated with Ritchie’s correct age, 60. Epoch Times regrets the error.
