Allan Ritter passed away peacefully at home with family holding his hands and reminiscing on July 27, 2025, at the age of 73.
Born in Gouverneur, New York, to Robert and Mavis (Lenahan) Ritter, Allan eventually made his way from upstate to Rochester, NY, working as a Controls Engineer for Eastman Kodak, then Maris Systems, where he retired from. He and his wife, Janet Welch, spent years traveling together before settling in Rockwall, where they made their home for 14 years.
A true Renaissance man, Allan lived a life marked by curiosity, creativity, and deep love for the people and places around him. Allan was many things — an Eagle Scout, a Mason, a Controls Engineer with a sharp eye for circuitry, and someone who always seemed to be just a step ahead of the digital world. He was endlessly curious, a lifelong learner who never passed up the chance to pick up a new skill — but who loved teaching even more. He loved his role as an AVID tutor and substitute teacher in Fort Worth, TX. He was a Boy Scout troop leader for Troop 48 in Greece, NY, for many years.
He had a passion for history, mainly 18th-century living history, which he brought to life through Rendezvous adventures, storytelling, handcrafted gear, and time spent as an Adirondack guide. He was mostly at home in the woods, in leather and moccasins, with a fishing rod, a rifle, or a campfire close by.
Allan had the honor of volunteering for many years at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, meeting the President and Laura Bush on several occasions.
He was a storyteller with some of the most interesting life experiences — the kind of person who could captivate a room or a campfire circle. His laugh was infectious, and his love of puns and playful banter made time with him both joyful and unforgettable.
Allan never met a stranger. He had warmth and quiet strength that made people feel seen and supported. He gave that to his family, his friends, and even to those who only crossed his path for a moment — and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Allan is survived by Janet Welch, his loving wife and companion, through so many adventures. He was the proud father of Jason Ritter and Kari (Ritter) Miller, Craig and Jill Tompkins, who were family not by blood, but by heart, and grandfather to Jaxsyn, Nathan, Ryan, Luella, and Elijah — along with a beloved pack of grand-dogs. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lavack, the mother of his children, as well as by his parents, and his loyal four-legged sidekick, Roxie Lou Ritter.