October 5, 1912 - July 28, 2013 Richard Leon Ritterband died peacefully at his home in Monarch Beach, CA, on Sunday, July 28, 2013. Born in Chicago, Richard was the youngest son of the late Leon Maness and Laura (Lollie) Berman Ritterband. He was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Frances Cadwell Ritterband, his brothers, Edward Philip and Robert Maness, and his sister, Marion Frances Ritterband. His ancestors include settlers of the colonial United States. Richard's family moved from Chicago to Hollywood in 1919 and he graduated from Hollywood High School in 1928. He enrolled at Los Angeles City College the year it opened and joined the US Navy in 1930, serving our nation before, during and after World War II. In the Pacific, he was Chief Petty Officer and navigator on the USS Miller. He recalled that his ship never lost a seaman in battle, although the ship came under attack several times, including at the landing at Iwo Jima. After Richard left the Navy in 1946, he and Frances, a Registered Nurse, returned to the Los Angeles area. Frances became a high school nurse and then coordinator of nurses in the Santa Monica City Schools while Richard partnered with his brother, Robert, at Lincoln Printing. Richard earned a bachelor's degree in Theater Arts and traveled with his wife, visiting most of the continents, mostly by sea on 32 cruises. He studied and became fluent in Spanish, German, French, and Japanese. He was always ready to strike up a conversation with anyone who would help him practice his language skills. In fact, he delighted in initiating conversation with everyone he encountered. For almost two decades, Richard was active in Optimist International, including serving as chapter president. He served in the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen. As an organizer of the Golden West Railfans, he co-owned a restored a Pullman dining & lounge car, which he had attached, with other cars, to steam locomotives for excursions around the Southwest through his travel agency, Golden West Rail Tours. In his early 50s, Richard became a high school graphic arts (print shop) teacher, and took on the other shop classes as well. He earned his Master of Science Degree in Education, and continued teaching young people for 20 years. His students nicknamed him "Happy," which was a perfect descriptor and stuck with him the rest of his life. It became his AOL email name when, in his 90s, he bought his first computer and graduated from ham operator (AA6BC) to emailer. For the last decade of his life, Richard was in the loving care of Sherry Merrick, who provided around-the-clock attention, quality nutrition, companionship, and support. Sherry and her daughters assured that he was never alone during the final years of his life. He never lost his positive outlook, was openly grateful for every day, and constantly expressed appreciation to the caregivers, family, and medical persons who visited and attended to him. Per Richard's request, his ashes will be scattered at sea in a private ceremony. Memorial gifts in his name are encouraged to organizations of the donor's choice.