Donald Ritter

On June 20, 2026, heaven welcomed home a very special angel, Donald Lyle Ritter (Don). Don died peacefully at home with his wife Pat at his side and the Ritter family lost our beacon of love and wisdom. He will be cherished, honored and remembered always.

Don was born on April 1, 1935 in Madison, Wisconsin to Lyle and Frances Ritter. He and his sister Beverly Anne grew up in Madison and graduated from Edgewood High School where he was an offensive lineman and editor of the yearbook. Don enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Madison and met the love of his life, Patricia Chapman (Pat). They met at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Paddy Murphy Parade, where a lovely Delta Gamma asked if he would walk with her. They both knew right away and married on January 26, 1957, beginning a lifelong love affair.

Don served honorably in R.O.T.C and the Army. He began his work history as a paperboy for the Milwaukee Journal, followed by a long and distinguished career at AC Nielsen. Don was Executive Vice President, Market Research, prior to his retirement.

Throughout their early life together including several moves around the country (Butler, Pennsylvania and New Milford, New Jersey), Don and Pat settled a growing family in Barrington, Illinois and got involved at St. Anne’s where they met life-long friends and built community. Don was a consultant for small businesses upon retirement and served proudly as a board member and chairman for Barrington Youth Services. He also volunteered and built homes for Habitat for Humanity in Immokalee, Florida.

Don and Pat’s proudest achievement is having raised six children who love their father dearly.

Don and Pat were always a steady and welcome presence in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives. They raised their family primarily in Barrington, Illinois and Wellesley, Massachusetts. They loved Cape Cod and Naples, Florida and retired there for more than a decade before eventually moving back to Chicago to be close to their youngest children and grandchildren. They spent many happy years living downtown in Hyde Park and quickly fell in love (again!) with Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods and people. Don and Pat have many friends with whom they enjoyed spending time with—laughing, traveling and caring for them in times of joy and of need.

Don loved the Cubs and teaching us all the game of baseball. He visited his beloved Wrigley Field as early as 1947 and then attended the first night game 40 years later, on 8/8/88. He and Pat also traveled to see a World Series game in Cleveland. A lifetime highlight when they won! He was one of the few people, ever, who rooted for both the Packers and the Bears. Don was an avid Wisconsin Badgers fan and attended many games and events over his lifetime; he took great pride in his Badger love and was in Madison again this past football season at age 90. They traveled to see family and friends all over the country. If you knew Don, you loved his big blue eyes, his easy laugh, his ability to listen with intent, and his love of trains. He even worked for the railroad when he was a young man.

At 91, Don was a gentle and constant companion to Pat. In recent years, they decided to move to Lake Barrington Woods. Don adored his family and made everyone he knew feel that they were part of the large and bustling crew—their many ‘offspring’ as they like to tease. He was passionate about rainbows; jazz music; playing cards and Rummikub; teaching; dancing the polka with Pat; baseball, basketball and football; his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sports, music, and theater activities; community and the well-being of people and the planet.

Don is survived by his wife Patricia Chapman Ritter, his sister Beverly Lindsey (Bill) and their extended family, his children Michael Ritter, Cindy Balio (Stan Lisle), Linda Cure (Peter), Bill Ritter, David Ritter, Amy Cowen (Joel), and his sister-in-law Pam Chapman Andruss (Jeff) and family.

Don and Pat were blessed with eight grandchildren—Katherine Balio (deceased), Kim Balio Quill (Michael), Casey Balio (Rob Luke), Chris Cure (Brooke), Emily Cure Merrifield (Tim), Lea Cure Thorpe (Cam), Lucy Cowen and Sam Cowen.

They were also blessed with the births of nine great grandchildren in his lifetime—Miles, Liam, Polly, Molly, Thatcher, Emma, Duke, Cooper and Lola.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Frances Ritter, his newborn daughter Christine and granddaughter Katherine. We know that there is one heck of a card game going on in heaven and we also know he’ll win.

Don’s four-year-old great granddaughter saw a shooting star after he passed and said, “Maybe that’s Grandad on his way to heaven!” We have no doubt. Godspeed to our loyal and loving husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend. A gentle soul who will be greatly missed.

In loving memory of Donald Lyle Ritter, a donation may be made to Barrington Youth & Family Services or Habitat for Humanity, causes close to Don‘s heart, or to a favorite charity of your choice.

A celebration of Don’s life is being planned for later this summer.

To his end on earth, Don would want us all to remember to live our lives seeking truth, with integrity, passion and kindness. He would encourage us to love deeply, to listen daily for the whistle of a train, to look for the shimmer of a rainbow, to savor a martini; and to celebrate a life well-lived with our Cubs gear and Badger red proudly displayed.