James Morton Curran Ritchie

James Morton Curran Ritchie March 13, 1925 – June 20, 2016 James Morton Curran Ritchie (Jim) was born in New York City on March 13, 1925 to Constance Curran Ritchie and Frederick Sommers Ritchie. He grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, and attended Montclair Academy from which he graduated in 1942. During World War II he served in the U.S. Air Force. At the conclusion of the war, he attended Harvard College, and was graduated with the class of 1948. At Harvard he was the art editor of the Harvard Lampoon and a member of the AD Club. On December 11,1948 he married Hope Dillon in New York, and moved to Texas to enter the oil business at the suggestion of his father-in-law. This ignited a passion for the oil business which was to last his lifetime. He became an independent operator in Midland, Texas in the 1950’s, forming friendships with other oil men which lasted throughout his life. In 1965 with Midland experiencing a downturn in the oil business, Jim and his family moved to New York City. He very much enjoyed all that the city offered, and served on the board of the American Symphony Orchestra, and was a member of the Racquet and Union Clubs. Santa Fe had always been a favorite vacation destination for Jim and his family, and so in 1972 they bought a house in the Santa Fe area. Although now living in Santa Fe full time, Jim continued to operate his company, Orla Petco , in Midland, and commuted back and forth. In the 1970’s Jim pioneered a new tertiary recovery technique using carbon dioxide. As Santa Fe became home full-time, Jim served on the boards of the Santa Fe Opera and the College of Santa Fe. One of his greatest pleasures was playing polo, and together with his good friends, the late Jim Alley, and the late Abel Davis, founded the Santa Fe Polo Club. During the winter Jim was an enthusiastic skier, particularly relishing gaining his free ski pass once he reached his 70th birthday. Following the death of his wife in November of 1997, a new chapter of life opened up for Jim when he married Ruth Stuart Bell of Midland, Texas on January 6, 1999. Their life together was marked by frequent and festive gatherings in their home, some wonderful trips abroad – especially to visit his daughter, Grace and her husband in England, and a continuing interest in their community. In these years Jim enjoyed his various lunch groups. The ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out) met on Thursdays, and a group of scientists and engineers whom he affectionately referred to as “The Smarts” convened on Fridays at his favorite restaurant, Osteria. He always said he felt honored that they included him! Jim bravely faced the illness which would eventually claim his life. He did so with the constant help and devotion of his team of caregivers. Ruth would like to extend her heartfelt thanks to Amy, Moriah, Martha, and Don, Derek, and Ruth Roybal for making Jim’s last years as comfortable and peaceful as he could have wished. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, his sister, Constance DuHamel of Montclair, NJ, his younger brother, Robert Skinner of Verona, NJ. His daughters Diana Applewhite and Hope Roybal of Santa fe, and Grace Killian of London England, his sons David Ritchie of Lambertville, NJ, and Bucky Ritchie of Midland,TX, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Frederick Sommers Ritchie. A Mass will be held at the Cathedral Basilica at 12 noon on Friday June 24. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Horse Shelter, or the Santa Fe Animal Shelter to reflect Jim’s lifelong love of animals.