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In Memory

Bruce Franklin Ritchey

Bruce ''B.R.'' Franklin Ritchey, 65, died June 7, 1996, of cancer at his home in Anchorage. A memorial service was at the Valdez Elks Lodge #2537, with the Past Exalted Rulers of the lodge officiating. His ashes were scattered over Prince William Sound.

Mr. Ritchey was born Jan. 31, 1931, in Roslyn, Wash., and traveled to Valdez in 1940. He served in the U.S. Army from March 7, 1951, to March 10, 1953, and later worked in construction in many parts of Alaska. He also worked for the state Division of Aviation in Bethel and Cold Bay, and for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. in Valdez. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and motor homing and was a member of the Valdez Elks Lodge #2537, Bethel Lions Club, Eagles #649, Pioneers of Alaska, American Legion and VFW Post #10041. His family said, ''Bruce and wife Gay were married 25 years and enjoyed their activities together. Bruce was very active in the Elks, having joined in Fairbanks, transferred to Anchorage and Valdez. It was while he was in Valdez that he became active as an officer of the Valdez Elks Lodge. In 1987 Bruce was elected Exalted Ruler of the Lodge.''

Mr. Ritchey is survived by his wife of 25 years, Gay of Anchorage; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Jerry Smith of Tulsa, Okla.; adopted daughter, Patti Graf and family of Twain Harte, Calif.; adopted son, Bill Ritchey and family of Calif.; stepson and daughter-in-law, Allan and Louise Schele, and granddaughter Nycole of Forks, Wash.; brother, Don of Central; among numerous relatives, a special aunt, Estella Kalnoski of Cle Elum,Wash., and cousin Dr. Andrew Urbank and family of Fullerton, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Ritchey and Elizabeth Hayford and adopted son, David Ritchey.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Virginia Mason Foundation, Cancer Research, Dept. #34, P.O. Box 34935, Seattle, Wash., 98124, the Alaska State Association of Emblem Clubs, the Elks or donor's charity of choice. Arrangements were made by Witzleben Family Funeral Homes and Crematory. 

 Published in Anchorage Daily New - June 12, 1996