Richard Tritsch

Richard “Ric” Howard Tritsch, 65, of High Springs, Fla., passed away June 20 and entered his heavenly home after a short battle with cancer and many years of the effects of multiple strokes.

Born Dec. 5, 1950, he was the son of the late Clyde and Babs Tritsch. He had one sister, Pamela Kovac, and several cousins who live in the Pittsburgh area.

He graduated high school in Butler, and served in the U.S. Army and National Guard.

In his younger years, Ric was a radio disc jockey in the Pittsburgh area and an avid collector of rock-and-roll oldies music and classic movies. He also was an antique sports car collector, photographer and local businessman.

After moving to High Springs, Fla., he relocated and restored the old railroad depot and ran a coffee shop and museum in the building. Ric served as president of the High Springs Chamber of Commerce and was responsible for establishing the first High Springs nighttime Christmas parade. He was a supporter of the High Springs Museum and donated a real train caboose to Camp Kulaqua.

Ric had many community friends and was a loyal member of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. He was especially loved by the youth at his church. For a number of years on weekday afternoons he would open to visitors the historic chapel at St. Bartholomew's. This was his way of sharing the Lord with others.

He never stopped giving and was always generous with the less fortunate. Several times Ric traveled to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to help the cleanup efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

TRITSCH — A memorial service for Richard “Ric” Howard Tritsch, who died Monday, June 20, 2016, to celebrate his life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church 105 NW 2 St., High Springs, Fla. The Reverend Canon Lance Horne will officiate.A reception will follow in the parish hall. “Blessed Assurance” was his favorite hymn and “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” was his favorite song.The Evans-Carter Funeral Home, High Springs, Fla., assisted with the arrangements.