Mr. Paul Edward Ritts

Paul Edward Ritts, 86, of Salem, and husband of Dorothy Conrad Ritts, died Saturday Dec 29, 2012 at the Baptist Easley Hospital, S.C. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Paul was the son of the late Daniel D. Ritts and Marguerite Bassett Ritts. He graduated from Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh and immediately enlisted with the Army Air Forces in 1944, going to Duquesne University for cadet training. He was in active service in 1945 as chief clerk of the 20th Statistical Control Unit, serving in the Philippines and Japan in WWII. Paul received special citation for outstanding bravery in a 1946 aircraft accident and honorably discharged July 30, 1946. Paul earned a BS from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity. He married his high school sweet heart, Dorothy Conrad Ritts, in 1948 and had five children. He started his career with Sears Management in Huntington, West Virginia. Most of his career was spent in sales and marketing with Pittsburgh Steel, then Acme and Interlake Steel, Inc. The family lived in Bay Villiage, OH, Cincinnati, OH, Naperville, IL. Paul and Dorothy retired to Salem, SC (Keowee Key) in 1986. Ten years of Paul’s life was devoted to organizing and forming the Historic Old Pickens Foundation. Throughout his life Paul loved golf, dancing, walking, watching sports, wood-working, helping others, scouting, and his church. He always wore a smile and was the “kindest of gentlemen”. He is missed by his family and many friends. Paul leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Dorothy Ritts, sons Daniel Ritts and Jeffrey (Terry) Ritts, daughter Nancy (Jerald) Pataky, and dog, Cody. He also leaves 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Robert Ritts, daughter Vickie Lynn Ritts, and son Paul Robert Ritts. Paul was a member of Saint Mark United Methodist Church. A celebration of his love of life and humorous personality will be held at the church at 1 pm on February 23, 2013. Davenport Funeral Home is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Historic Old Pickens Foundation, PO Box 149, Salem, SC 29676-0149 or Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 616 Quincy Road, Seneca, SC 29678.

Mr. Paul Edward Ritts

September 24, 1926 - December 29, 2012