Andrew "Andy" Ritzman

Andrew Thomas "Andy" Ritzman of Ammon, Idaho, passed away July 15, 2018, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center from a stroke. He was born July 4, 1944, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Elie and Wilma Hill Ritzman. He grew up in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, and graduated from Marsh Valley High School in 1962. Andy then attended, and graduated from, the two-year auto mechanics program at Idaho State University. On April 15, 1965, Andy married his one and only true love, Ellen Ourada, whom he spent the rest of his life with. In 1966, Andy joined the Army Reserves and honorably served his country for seven years. Andy worked at various auto shops, but his career as a mechanic was at Shaw Auto Parts in Pocatello, where he worked for 17 years. In 1994, he and Ellen moved to Juneau, Alaska, where they had the time of their lives. Among the many things Andy enjoyed there were salmon and halibut fishing. He worked at the Juneau airport where he became the manager for Aero Services. In 2007, he and Ellen retired and moved to Idaho Falls. Andy’s greatest passion was farming, and he would do it every chance he got. So, after he retired, he got a part-time job working for Longhurst Farms of Idaho Falls to do just that. We tipped our hats to the man on the tractor (and combine, and anything else he could drive on the farm) until 2016. Andy loved to golf, trap shoot, build remote controlled model airplanes, and drag racing his 1970 Oldsmobile 442. He attended church services at Water Springs Church in Idaho Falls, Idaho. We will remember Andy for his kindness, his warm sense of humor, and of course, his love for Peter Pan peanut butter. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Edris Wells, Susan Fagnant, Rae Edwards, and his brother, David Ritzman. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ellen, sister, Linda Bowden, brother-in-law, Larry Ourada (Cathy-Max Whiteus), numerous nieces and nephews, and many adoring friends. A celebration of life service will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Pocatello Baptist Church, 190 W. Chapel Road in Pocatello, Idaho. Military Rites will be performed by the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local humane society.

Celebration of Life