Laurence T. Ritchie

Dr. Laurence T. Ritchie, 88, of White Oak, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015. He was born in Kittanning on July 10, 1927, and is the son of the late Margaret and Laurence. Laurence attended Peabody High School before enlisting in the Navy, where he served as a medic until his discharge in December 1946. Upon discharge Laurence attended Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa., and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, followed by Temple University Medical School, graduating in 1955. While at Temple, Laurence was invited to be a member of the prestigious Babcock Surgical Society. He began his medical practice in White Oak, where he won the hearts and gained the trust of many patients over his 52 years of medical practice. He was past president of the McKeesport Hospital Medical Staff and was a member of the board of trustees for several terms. His love of medicine was matched only by his love of sports, particularly skiing, golf, tennis and bowling. He had a brilliant mind and will be missed by many. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Kathy D. Hallas Ritchie; daughters, Mary Lynn (Kent) Meyers, of Chicago, Ill., Susan (Robert) Cummings, of Dallas, Texas, Pamela (Craig) Pelini, of North Canton, Ohio, and Kristen Ritchie, of Bethel Park; grandchildren, Kyle and Scott Meyers, Sarah and Emma Cummings, Kathryn, Corrin and Christine Pelini; brother, Frederick Ritchie, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; and nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at STRIFFLERS OF WHITE OAK CREMATION AND MORTUARY SERVICES, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131 (412-678-6177). Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Ben Robinson officiating. Remembrances may be made in Dr. Laurence T. Ritchie's name to the McKeesport Hospital Foundation, 1500 Fifth Ave., McKeesport, PA 15132.