Josef Ritter

Josef (Sepp) Ritter joined his beloved wife Anneliese (Putti) Ritter in heaven on Tuesday afternoon May 14, 2024, at home in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

Josef, in his 91 years, managed to live in multiple countries and continents during his lifetime. He was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1933 to the late Martin and Rosa Ritter, and was fortunate to end up in Ingelfingen, Germany at the conclusion of the second world war in 1946. He was the youngest in the family, with three older sisters, Eva, Susi (Susanne), Liese (Elisabeth), all who spoilt him. It was in Germany that he apprenticed as a Goldsmith and diamond setter. He utilized these skills and experience to gain a contract position in Cape Town, South Africa in 1956. It was there that he met the love of his life Putti Ritter. After completing his contract, they decided to move to Port Elizabeth to strike out on their own and open Ritter’s Jewellers in 1958.

Port Elizabeth is where his family was started and where he put down roots in the community. Besides the creation of Ritter’s Jewellers, a premier and well-known Jewellery store in Port Elizabeth, Josef was very active in the German club, Rotary and Toastmasters (multiple clubs) - serving as president for all the clubs at different times as well as other leadership roles. Josef was always busy, only retiring in his 78th year and had little time for reading or watching TV. Business hours were Monday through 1pm on Saturdays along with the different club events. Family dinner times were sacred, and everyone was expected to dine together each evening. Sundays were reserved for family and home activities. Sunday evenings were the times he slowed down for his ritual of taking his shoes to the enclosed patio for their weekly shoeshine while sipping a whiskey.

While his mother-in-law, Elise was alive the typical annual family vacation was a one-way three-day drive (trek) up to Namibia to the farm (with the closest town, Omaruru, 40km away on dirt roads) where Putti grew up. And we all reconnected with family and friends. A chance for the city dwellers to experience nature and a simpler way of life. Days spent on the farm consisted of morning rounds to the different sheep stations to check on sheep counts, and new lambs born, afternoon naps in the heat of the day and evening campfires under the brightest stars.

Josef loved to laugh, Charlie Chaplin silent movies were always a hit on the home movie circuit and an occasion to have several families around for dinner to enjoy these classic movies together. He also loved reading the Asterix and Obelix comic books with his son, Tony. Josef and Putti travelled extensively, with trips to Germany, Austria, Hungary, England, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, America, and Hong Kong all opportunities to reconnect with family and friends, visit jewellery fairs and explore. Josef was a gentle, kind, peace-loving man who was always up for ice cream and chocolate sauce to round out any meal! In his final years, dealing with Dementia, German Dance music and prayer to "our good Lord" were turned to, for lifting his spirit.

In 2021 he moved to his final location, Raleigh, North Carolina to be closer to his children and their families who had emigrated to the United States.

Josef will be sorely missed by his three children, Tony, Connie Tomlinson and Caren Morris and their spouses Tish, Rob, Brent; and grandchildren, Matthew, Grace, Lauren, Jenna and Hannah; nephews, Hans, Mathias, Herbert, Martin; nieces, Marion, Linde, Anita; and extended family in South Africa, Germany, Austria, Hungary, England, and Spain.

Josef's Memorial Services will be held:

1) May 31st at 11am (South African time) in South Africa at Lutheran Church, 33 Luke Avenue, Springfield 6070

2) June 8th at 12pm ET in North Carolina at the Bryan-Lee Funeral home, 831 Wake Forest Rd. Raleigh, NC 27604 (the event was recorded and may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tiig2f8Fw&feature=youtu.be ).

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Cheshire Homes in Port Elizabeth Contact Us ( cheshirehomes.co.za ).

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com