WALTER LEGGET RITCHIE, Q.C.

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WALTER LEGGET RITCHIE, Q.C. With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Walter Legget Ritchie, Q.C. who died peacefully at Grace Hospital on January 29, 2011. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Patricia; cherished children and their spouses: Walter (Gennevive), Heather (Victor), and Ian (Christie); adored grandchildren, Eden, Jubilee, Timothy, Hannah, Andrew, Kate, Rory and Hayden. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Victoria Annie and Walter Legget Ritchie, and by his brother, Gordon Wilbert Ritchie. Walter was born on March 22, 1928 in Vancouver and was educated at Riverview School, Lord Roberts School, and Kelvin Collegiate. He attended Manitoba Law School, and began articling with the firm of Dilts, Baker, Laidlaw and Shepard (as it then was) in 1949. Upon graduating from the Manitoba Law School in 1953, he became a member of the firm and a partner in 1961. In 1999, he was honored for his 50 years with the firm, now Thompson, Dorfman, Sweatman, LLP. His legal expertise was in the fields of civil litigation, competition, municipal and labour law. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1965 and he appeared in all levels of courts, including the Supreme Court, and in the courts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. In 1986 he was elected a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He served on numerous boards and foundations. After Walter's father passed away, he became an avid genealogist, amassing a wealth of family history details on his computer. Through his interest, he corresponded with relatives and friends from around the world, and he and Pat met many of those individuals in their travels in Scotland, England, South Africa and Australia. Family will remember Walter for his abiding love and devotion; friends, for his delightful sense of humour and his love of practical jokes; colleagues for his success as a managing partner, his valued mentorship, and his intense love of the law; fellow members of the legal profession and clients will remember him as a skilled tactician, a tough negotiator, a principled advocate, and an honourable and trusted individual. The family would like to thank the Home Care Team, especially Natalie, Deana, Manacy, Ann, Karen, and Thea, who made it possible for Walter to stay at home for so long. We would also like to thank the staff on Three North, Grace Hospital for their very kind and caring attention to Walter and our family during his last days. The Honourable William Burnett and Pat's sister, Shelagh and her husband, Bill, deserve special thanks for their thoughtfulness during this time. Donations in Walter's memory may be made to the Manitoba Genealogical Society Inc., 1045 St. James Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3H 1B1, or the Salvation Army, Manitoba Division, P.O. Box 8200, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 4W5, or to a charity of one's choice. A celebration of Walter's life will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg on Saturday, February 5 at 2:00 p.m. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website at www.chapellawn.mb.ca. Chapel Lawn 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 02, 2011