Jim Ritenour

With a warm personality and a heart made of gold, Jim Ritenour was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was a man of many special interests but it was evident in every way that his family meant the world to him. A true entrepreneur, he could often see the vision of an idea before the plan was developed. His kindness will forever be remembered by all who knew and loved him.

The 1940s were characterized by WWII. By 1947, some of the most significant inventions that would impact lives for many years were created including the Transistor and the Mobile Phone. That same year, Jim was born on October 23rd in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was later joined by his younger sister, Carole. Jim was raised by his mother, Olga, along with extended family, in Traunik, a small town in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula.

Jim learned the value of a hard day’s work from an early age. He had fond memories of working on his uncle’s dairy farm. His strong work ethic was something that carried him throughout life. These early years gave him an appreciation of nature and animals and he had a lifelong fascination with tractors. During his teenage years, he attended country schools in both Eben and Trenary where he met a young lady named Lynn Mariin. The family later moved to Escanaba where he graduated with the Class of 1965. Jim’s interests as a young man were sports cars, motorcycles, physical fitness, as well as drumming for a local garage band. When Lynn’s school was looking for a band to play at the school dance, Jim agreed and their paths crossed again. They both loved music and began dating. Following high school, he enrolled in Junior College at Bay de Noc in Escanaba and later transferred to Northern Michigan University in Marquette to earn his Bachelor's degree. He and Lynn eventually married on June 1, 1968, in Munising.

Known as a gentle giant, he enjoyed his career as a teacher at L. E. White Jr. High in Allegan, Michigan. With his muscular six foot five inch body he could be an intimidating presence but he taught his students with compassion and inspiration toward critical thinking. Jim went on to receive his Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. During his twenty-five years in the profession, he successfully and passionately pursued many business ventures. He remains an icon for drummers in the Midwest, as the founder of RIT Drums, originally selling refurbished drums and later achieving the top ten world sales ranking for a popular drum manufacturer. Organizing annual celebrity drum clinics fostered education for his beloved clients, many of whom became lifelong friends. He would come home from teaching, take a power nap, and work into the late evening hours. He instilled in his children, Craig and Alissa, the values of physical fitness and a tireless work ethic. Although the family accompanied Jim on many exciting business trips to Chicago, Los Angeles, and as far as Asia, true vacations were simple as they traveled out east, down to Florida, and frequented the U.P to visit family. Jim relished quiet time to balance the hard work. He was always supportive and shared his love of the outdoors and dogs with his children. As much as he enjoyed his role as a dad, he loved being a grandpa. Jim enjoyed teaching them new things and sharing his favorite hobbies with them. Any time his family was together, his heart was content.

Active throughout his life, Jim never slowed down in his retirement years, generating a successful e-commerce business that occupied most of his time. He loved to learn new things and enjoyed reading a wide range of books on various topics of interest. Later, in life, he even enjoyed reading about quantum physics. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t spend time learning or reading. Described as a private person, if someone picked the right topic, Jim loved a good conversation. An intellect with a vast array of knowledge, he kept a captive audience at any family gathering. He wanted nothing more than the best for his family. He referred to himself as a naturalist and Lynn called him the love of her life. Jim lived his life to the fullest. He loved teaching and learning. His greatest legacy that he leaves behind is the family he loved so deeply. May they always cherish the special memories they shared with him and may they never doubt how much they meant to him.

Jim Ritenour died on Sunday, December 29, 2024. Members of his family include his wife Lynn; 2 children: Craig, and Alissa (Ronnie) Jallad; 2 grandchildren: Giselle Jallad and Ava Ritenour; a sister, Carole Ritenour (Arlin Tenkley) and other nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances.

Cremation has taken place and services will be announced. Celebrate Jim’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.