Frederick Harrison Ritts
July 10, 1939 ~ November 12, 2020
Frederick Harrison Ritts, 81, of McLean, Virginia, passed away in Reston, Virginia, on November 12, 2020.
Born in Chicago on July 10, 1939, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather; he will also be remembered as a trusted lawyer, loyal business partner, and generous friend, as well as an avid tennis player, golfer, and Duke basketball supporter.
Fred grew up in Rochester, New York, where he graduated from Brighton High School in 1957. During this time, he was active in the Boy Scouts and played on the golf and soccer teams. He then attended Duke University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta, played soccer, and graduated in 1962 with a B.A. degree in Political Science.
After graduating from Duke, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy where he served for six years in the US Navy Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander from 1962-1968. After spending part of his Reserve time flying in the Pacific, he attended law school at the University of Georgia. While in Law School he was a member of the Board of Editors for the University of Georgia Law Review from 1969-1970. He graduated with a J.D. in 1970, and he was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1971 and the D.C. Bar in 1972.
After graduating from law school, he moved to Washington, DC, to practice law with the prestigious law firm of Northcutt Ely which specialized in International and Resource Law, especially Law of the Sea and Deep-Sea Mining. Upon Mr. Ely’s retirement, Fred became a founding partner of Ritts, Brickfield, & Kaufman which later became Brickfield, Burchette, & Ritts--a firm well-known for its expertise in Energy Law, Electric Power, and Public Utilities. This later became Brickfield, Burchette, Ritts & Stone, which expanded the well-known and highly respected reputation. Fred also practiced law at Holland and Knight and retired from there in 2016. Fred was a member of the American Bar Association Sections on Natural Resources, Administrative Law, International Law, and Public Utility Law.
Fred’s legal expertise and leadership as well as his ability to form exceptional partnerships led to many long-lasting and rewarding client relationships as well as client victories. He will always be remembered by the many people he befriended in his personal and business relationships for his optimistic spirit and love of life.
While Fred made no attempt to hide his love of gourmet food and he dressed with a personalized flair that all recognized, it was his ability to open his heart to provide support and loyalty to his family, friends, and business associates that was his real charm. For many, he was so much fun to be with and a practical joker at times, but he managed to befriend all ages from the youngest child to the eldest adult. People just enjoyed being around him. He also loved and loved to share music of all kinds from country music (fueled by his countless trips to Texas) to Kennedy Center Opera and Ballet. He never missed the Cirque du Soleil performances when they came to Washington, and he would make sure family or friends shared the experience with him.
Fred is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Sandra Crowley Ritts, now of Leland, North Carolina; his sons Dean Harrison Ritts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Scott Tallmadge Ritts of Richland, Washington; as well as his grandson Jacob and granddaughter Eliana. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick J Ritts and Marion Rigg Ritts; his uncle and aunt, Glenn and Patsy Rigg; and a newly born son who passed while Fred was serving in the Navy Reserves in Hawaii.
Fred will be inurned at the Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, October 14, 2022, at 1 p.m. with full military honors.
Born in Chicago on July 10, 1939, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather; he will also be remembered as a trusted lawyer, loyal business partner, and generous friend, as well as an avid tennis player, golfer, and Duke basketball supporter.
Fred grew up in Rochester, New York, where he graduated from Brighton High School in 1957. During this time, he was active in the Boy Scouts and played on the golf and soccer teams. He then attended Duke University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta, played soccer, and graduated in 1962 with a B.A. degree in Political Science.
After graduating from Duke, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy where he served for six years in the US Navy Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander from 1962-1968. After spending part of his Reserve time flying in the Pacific, he attended law school at the University of Georgia. While in Law School he was a member of the Board of Editors for the University of Georgia Law Review from 1969-1970. He graduated with a J.D. in 1970, and he was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1971 and the D.C. Bar in 1972.
After graduating from law school, he moved to Washington, DC, to practice law with the prestigious law firm of Northcutt Ely which specialized in International and Resource Law, especially Law of the Sea and Deep-Sea Mining. Upon Mr. Ely’s retirement, Fred became a founding partner of Ritts, Brickfield, & Kaufman which later became Brickfield, Burchette, & Ritts--a firm well-known for its expertise in Energy Law, Electric Power, and Public Utilities. This later became Brickfield, Burchette, Ritts & Stone, which expanded the well-known and highly respected reputation. Fred also practiced law at Holland and Knight and retired from there in 2016. Fred was a member of the American Bar Association Sections on Natural Resources, Administrative Law, International Law, and Public Utility Law.
Fred’s legal expertise and leadership as well as his ability to form exceptional partnerships led to many long-lasting and rewarding client relationships as well as client victories. He will always be remembered by the many people he befriended in his personal and business relationships for his optimistic spirit and love of life.
While Fred made no attempt to hide his love of gourmet food and he dressed with a personalized flair that all recognized, it was his ability to open his heart to provide support and loyalty to his family, friends, and business associates that was his real charm. For many, he was so much fun to be with and a practical joker at times, but he managed to befriend all ages from the youngest child to the eldest adult. People just enjoyed being around him. He also loved and loved to share music of all kinds from country music (fueled by his countless trips to Texas) to Kennedy Center Opera and Ballet. He never missed the Cirque du Soleil performances when they came to Washington, and he would make sure family or friends shared the experience with him.
Fred is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Sandra Crowley Ritts, now of Leland, North Carolina; his sons Dean Harrison Ritts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Scott Tallmadge Ritts of Richland, Washington; as well as his grandson Jacob and granddaughter Eliana. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick J Ritts and Marion Rigg Ritts; his uncle and aunt, Glenn and Patsy Rigg; and a newly born son who passed while Fred was serving in the Navy Reserves in Hawaii.
Fred will be inurned at the Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, October 14, 2022, at 1 p.m. with full military honors.
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