George Edward Ritter, Jr., Md

George Edward Ritter, Jr., MD died on September 11, 2021 at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, MA, where he dedicated a significant portion of his career in medicine.

He was born on July 12, 1945 in St. Marys, PA to Janet Alice Ritter (Reese) and George Edward Ritter, Sr. George, Jr. and his wife, Kathryn Swanson Ritter, met during high school in nearby Ridgway, PA. George graduated from the University of Rochester and went on to attend medical school at Georgetown University. During this time, George and Kathy were married in their hometown on June 8, 1968. They resided in Washington D.C. until George’s internship took them to Buffalo, NY where his passion for working with children became clear through his experiences at Buffalo Children’s Hospital. In 1974, George entered the Navy Reserve as a pediatrician, and he and Kathy moved to the Philadelphia suburb of Media, PA, where they welcomed their first two children, Keira and Andrew.

Throughout their early years of marriage, George and Kathy enjoyed many outdoor activities together, including learning to ski and riding their bicycles across the Peace Bridge into Canada. George was also an avid runner and would log long miles between his professional commitments. George’s and Kathy’s adventuresome spirit inspired them to travel through New England in search of a small town where George could establish his own pediatric practice. While traveling along Route 23 from New York State, they passed through Great Barrington and were immediately taken by the community and its setting nestled within the Berkshire Hills. They knew they had found their place.

Along with growing a private practice, George and Kathy realized their dream of finding an old home to restore and renovate when they purchased a Victorian house on West Avenue, a tightly-knit neighborhood close to both the hospital and his office, allowing George to enjoy frequent walks home for lunch with his family. On prime skiing days, he was known to get in a few midday runs at Butternut.

Dr. Ritter’s practice, which would become known as “MACONY” following his departure, began in The Doctors’ Building at Fairview Hospital and moved to 17 Taconic Avenue before landing in a historic house on Maple Avenue. Dr. Ritter’s vision of the building included new space for modern exam rooms and other functions, and this became a reality with a thorough renovation and the construction of an addition. He was joined by Dr. Dennis Tresp as his first partner and later by Dr. Richard Heck. Presently, the practice continues to operate from the same location under ownership of Berkshire Health Systems.

In 1983, George was diagnosed with kidney disease. In 1986, George experienced two life-changing events: the birth of his youngest daughter, Kate, and an unsuccessful kidney transplant. He began dialysis treatments at this time and remained a dialysis patient throughout the rest of his life, overcoming many significant related obstacles along the way and always maintaining the same determined and methodical attitude with his health that he displayed with his patients.

The difficult realities of his situation required that George move away from actively practicing pediatrics. Through his sadness of needing to give up his professional calling, he took steps to educate himself on healthcare operations and accepted a position as Vice President of Quality and Safety at Saratoga Hospital in 1994. Later, he landed a similar position a bit closer to home at Baystate Medical Center. Throughout these years, his home remained in Great Barrington and he always prioritized being there for his kids’ sports events, college visits, and concerts. George’s final professional chapter brought him back home to Fairview Hospital, where he continued his mission of achieving quality and compassionate healthcare for all.

Although a physician by training, George had an abundant appreciation for music, and knowledge and love for machines of all sorts. He pursued obtaining his pilot’s license, and he cherished time in their barn with his son restoring a 1969 BMW R60/2 motorcycle and a 1988 BMW 325i convertible, both of which carried Kathy and him all over the Berkshires and the Hudson Valley. He also spent many hours on his John Deere 322 tractor maintaining their property, and on a 1947 Farmall H housed at the Ritter Farm back in St. Marys. This multi-generational farm, established by George’s great-great-grandparents in 1853, remains a respite for his family and was a place where he shared many stories and lessons with his kids. George was a natural teacher, and he enjoyed imparting his plentiful knowledge, always with patience and warmth.

George will be remembered as a devoted and affectionate husband and father, and a caring physician who always went beyond expectations to help his patients, friends, and loved ones. His creative, disciplined, and intelligent nature carried him through substantial challenges, and his humble and hard-working disposition will remain admired by all who have known him.

George’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; his oldest daughter, Keira with partner Ian Law and daughter Nia; his son, Andrew with partner Carrie Negrini; and his youngest daughter, Kate with partner Brad Roblin. George is also survived by his sister, Janet Wheeler (Ritter) with husband Tom Wheeler.

SERVICES – To honor his wishes, George’s life will be celebrated at a private gathering to take place later this fall. Funeral services will not be held. Remembrances to the family are welcome and can be shared by visiting www.finnertyandstevens.com .

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Fairview Hospital in Dr. Ritter’s name. The fund’s mission will be to support and promote excellence in care for children. The Ritter Family wishes to thank the myriad of doctors and nurses near and far who have provided tremendous care over the past thirty-five years, and to our extended community for its ongoing amazing support.